Not Cunha: Dorgu setback puts pressure on one Man Utd star with a unique record
Manchester United caretaker head coach Michael Carrick has confirmed that Patrick Dorgu will miss the upcoming Premier League clash with Fulham on Sunday.
Dorgu could reportedly be out for 10 weeks due to a hamstring injury.
United do have multiple options to cover Dorgu, with Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount both pushing hard to reclaim a starting role.
Another attacking solution could see Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo deployed on the wings, with Benjamin Sesko leading the line as the central striker.
While Carrick may not struggle to piece together a competitive front line, Dorgu’s absence puts added pressure on one key player.
Luke Shaw has started at left-back in both matches under Carrick, with Dorgu operating further forward as a high-energy left winger.
Dorgu’s explosive running power and relentless engine have been crucial in stretching defences and driving United up the pitch.
The Dane also played a vital defensive role, regularly tracking back to help Shaw cope with elite threats such as Bukayo Saka and Jeremy Doku.
With that protection in place, Shaw was able to prioritise defensive discipline, offering extra security for United’s centre-backs.
In Dorgu’s absence, Shaw is now likely to be asked to provide more attacking width, making overlapping runs to allow Cunha or Mount to drift inside from the left.
The England international has started all 23 Premier League matches this season, a rare feat given his long history of injury setbacks.
Under former manager Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, Shaw was frequently used as a left-sided centre-back.
Apart from a couple of poor performances, the 30-year-old largely thrived in that role and rediscovered consistency.
The reduced physical demands of that position helped limit muscle strain and aided his recovery between matches.
That protective setup may now disappear as Shaw is expected to return to a more demanding up-and-down full-back role to support United’s attack.
Stats from Fotmob.com
Article written by Sanidhya Bhardwaj .