Quick Read
- Patrick Dorgu, 21, faces approximately 10 weeks out with a hamstring injury.
- The Manchester United winger sustained the injury during Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Arsenal.
- Dorgu had scored in his last two matches against Arsenal and Manchester City, showcasing strong form.
- He will miss around eight matches, with a projected return after the March international break.
- Matheus Cunha is expected to fill Dorgu’s left-wing position in the interim.
MANCHESTER (Azat TV) – Manchester United’s promising young winger Patrick Dorgu is facing an estimated 10-week absence due to a hamstring injury sustained during Sunday’s crucial 3-2 victory over league leaders Arsenal. This setback represents a significant blow to both the player’s resurgent form and the club’s momentum under interim head coach Michael Carrick, especially as Dorgu had just begun to establish himself as a key attacking force.
The 21-year-old Denmark international sustained the injury while chasing a long ball in the second half of the high-stakes match. While Manchester United is still assessing the full extent of the injury, initial reports suggest a recovery period of around 10 weeks, though the exact timeline remains under review.
A Cruel Blow to Resurgent Form
Dorgu’s injury comes at a particularly unfortunate time, as he had been enjoying his best run of form since joining United from Serie A club Lecce for £25 million ($33.7 million) on February 2 last year. Just before the injury, he had scored a spectacular half-volley from outside the box against Arsenal, following another goal in the Manchester derby the previous weekend. These recent strikes, along with a ‘Goal of the Month’ contender against Newcastle United on Boxing Day, meant Dorgu had netted three times in his last five appearances.
This scoring streak coincided with a tactical shift under interim head coach Michael Carrick. While primarily used as a wing-back under former head coach Ruben Amorim, Dorgu had been deployed in a more advanced left-wing position within a 4-2-3-1 formation by Carrick. This new role appeared to have reinvigorated the player, who had previously struggled for consistency and form, with Amorim even noting Dorgu’s ‘anxiety’ from the touchline. His recent performances had shown a player free of such concerns.
Impact on Manchester United’s Season
An approximate 10-week layoff would see Dorgu miss Manchester United’s next eight matches, effectively sidelining him until after March’s international break. His potential return is currently anticipated around April 11, when the club is scheduled to face Leeds United. This absence creates a void in Carrick’s attacking options, especially given Dorgu’s recent impactful contributions.
Carrick, in his press conference following the Arsenal game, had expressed hope that the injury was not serious, suggesting Dorgu had ‘hopefully’ come off due to cramp. However, the subsequent assessment indicates a more severe issue. Dorgu now joins centre-back Matthijs de Ligt on the sidelines; de Ligt has been out for the past 11 games with a back issue sustained in early December.
With Dorgu unavailable, Matheus Cunha is considered the most obvious replacement on the left wing and is expected to be restored to the starting line-up. Dorgu has featured 22 times in the Premier League this season, recording three goals and three assists, and has made a total of 44 appearances for the club since his arrival.
The timing of Patrick Dorgu’s injury, immediately following his most productive and confident period at Manchester United, underscores the fragility of momentum in elite football and presents a significant challenge for Michael Carrick to maintain the team’s recent resurgence without a key, in-form player.