Manchester United took a gamble on a raw, talented Lecce left back in Patrick Dorgu a couple of years ago, but they were starting to regret this signing, like so many others, after watching him turn in subpar performance after subpar performance in the 2025/26 Premier League season.
But like so many players on this Manchester United team, including people actually playing well like Bruno Fernandes, Dorgu was simply being held back by a role and a system that did not suit anyone in the team.
Perhaps it was because Dorgu was more of a left back for Serie A minnows Lecce, but everyone missed the fact that the 21 year old prospect would be better off in a more dynamic attacking role than having to shuttle around aimlessly as a utilitarian left wing back providing little to no actual utility.
Patrick Dorgu has been unleashed
Well, everyone missed this little fact except for Michael Carrick. The new Manchester United manager, for now, with Ruben Amorim mercifully deposed from his post, Carrick has been every bit the general as a manager as he was as a midfield player.
Carrick has unearthed a monster in Dorgu, unleashing him in victories over the literal two best teams in the Premier League in hated rivals Manchester City and Arsenal.
The Danish international was literally the best player on the pitch for either team in both Manchester United victories, scoring goals in both matches. Combined, he registered four shots, four fouls drawn, and seven combined tackles and interceptions in these two wins, dominating on both sides of the ball.
But here is the crazy part. What Michael Carrick did was play Patrick Dorgu on the left wing rather than at left wing back or even left back. The new Manchester United head coach has switched the Red Devils back to a back four system that suits them much, much better.
As part of that, though, he moved Dorgu up rather than down in a more defensive role, so to speak. Instead, he utilized the veteran Premier League left back Luke Shaw as the left back in both games, allowing Dorgu free reign to try and score while still adding that additional bit of defensive intensity on the wing.
The result proved critical in two massive Manchester United victories that give the Red Devils the strength of feeling like they can immediately compete for a Champions League place and beat literally anyone the Premier League has to offer. It goes to show you the power of the right coaching.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.