Patrick Dorgu suffers major injury setback

Momentum has been building around Manchester United in recent weeks, with belief returning to Old Trafford after a string of statement results.

The mood has shifted under Michael Carrick, with energy, aggression and front-foot football suddenly defining United’s approach.

Big wins over elite opposition have reignited optimism among supporters who had grown restless earlier in the campaign.

Emerging figures have stepped into the spotlight, giving Carrick fresh solutions in key areas of the pitch.

But just as United’s resurgence gathered pace, a cruel setback has arrived.

That setback centres on Patrick Dorgu, whose rise under Carrick has been one of the most encouraging storylines of the season.

According to The Athletic, the 21-year-old to miss around ten weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during Sunday’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates.

The Denmark international picked up the issue in the second half while sprinting after a long ball, a moment that came not long after he had scored a stunning half-volley from outside the box.

Initially, there was hope the issue was minor.

Speaking after the match, Carrick suggested Dorgu had “come off with, hopefully, a little bit of cramp,” but subsequent checks have raised concerns that the injury is more serious than first thought.

United are still assessing the full extent of the damage, with the recovery timeline not entirely set in stone, but current expectations point towards a lengthy absence.

The timing could hardly be worse for United.

Patrick Dorgu has been one of the standout performers of Carrick’s early spell, starting and scoring in back-to-back wins over Manchester City and Arsenal.

After being used mainly as a wing-back under former head coach Ruben Amorim, Carrick has pushed Dorgu higher up the pitch as a left winger in a 4-2-3-1 system, a move that has unlocked his attacking threat and directness.

If the ten-week timeframe is confirmed, Dorgu is expected to miss United’s next eight matches, with a potential return pencilled in for after the March international break.

That would place his comeback around the April 11 clash against Leeds United, a fixture that could carry major significance in the run-in.

His absence further stretches United’s resources, with Matthijs de Ligt already sidelined after missing the last 11 matches due to a back problem sustained in early December.

Carrick now faces the challenge of reshuffling his options while trying to maintain United’s upward trajectory.

Despite the setback, Dorgu’s season has already underlined his importance.

He has made 22 Premier League appearances, registering three goals and three assists, and has featured 44 times for the club since joining from Lecce in February last year for £25 million.

For now, United must cope without one of their brightest sparks, hoping the injury proves less damaging than feared and that his return can provide another lift later in the season.