Patrick Dorgu is ramping up his return from an injury sustained against Arsenal, and Man Utd must take an important step with him next.
The easier fixture schedule came at the best possible time for Patrick Dorgu because he has missed far fewer games than he would have in a regular season.
Dorgu used the international break to ramp up his gym work, and then used the last few days to get back on grass to do some individual training at Carrington.
That’s the last step before a player joins team training, but Man Utd must make an important decision with him up next, even if his return to competitive action is some time away.
Patrick Dorgu runs off to celebrate
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Who should drop out when Patrick Dorgu returns?
Does he get back into the starting team immediately?
PATRICK DORGU knee slides at the Emirates.
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Man Utd must take Patrick Dorgu to Ireland
In the absence of FA Cup and Champions League action, Michael Carrick was given the ultimate endorsement by Ineos as they arranged a training camp for the squad.
United will travel to Ireland for an “intense” training camp from the 6th of April to the 9th.
They’ve already received a Lisandro Martinez fitness boost for the camp, but they must add Dorgu to the squad as well.
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He’s not ready for full first-team training, but if he travels with the team to the camp, it can help him physically and mentally.
Recovering from an injury is often a lonely process, so if the whole team is traveling somewhere, and the player is in a position to travel, then their fitness status shouldn’t stop them.
Just feeling close to the first-team group can speed up the recovery as the player tries to get back into the thick of things.
It’s notable that when Martinez injured his ACL, he regularly traveled with the team, engaged in huddles, sat in the dressing room, and remained an encouraging presence.
Dorgu doesn’t have a leadership role in the team as Martinez does, but that’s all the more reason he shouldn’t be made to feel isolated.
Taking him to the Ireland camp, even if he doesn’t train with the team, is the right call.
Dorgu’s untapped potential makes him next season’s wild card
The prospect of Dorgu’s return is so exciting because he got injured just as he was starting to enjoy his first peak at Old Trafford.
How much is Patrick Dorgu worth now in 2026?
Fans have even been comparing him to Gareth Bale!
Dorgu value
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He huffed and puffed under Ruben Amorim, but Darren Fletcher and then Carrick unleashed him in an advanced role.
There’s clearly a lot of growth remaining to be tapped in him, regardless of the position he plays, so his return is a tantalising prospect.
If he can shake off this issue and return next season where he left off this season, then he will be the most exciting wild card next season.
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