Patrick Dorgu is set to miss the next ten weeks of action through injury, the Athletic have revealed.
Man United boss Michael Carrick said he hoped the 21-year-old had only picked up "a little bit of cramp," but it has since been revealed that the injury is more serious than first believed after a scan on Monday.
Dorgu picked up supposed cramp in Man United's 3-2 win against Arsenal and was subbed in the 81st minute, replaced by Benjamin Sesko. Following the Dane's third goal of the season, Dorgu had become a pivotal part of the United front line and will be a real miss for the Red Devils.
Matheus Cunha is the number one replacement for Dorgu following his injury after his winning goal against the Gunners, although Sesko could also come into the team up top.
How has Dorgu transformed his game in the last month?
Patrick Dorgu has flourished since finding himself against on the wing for the first time against **Newcastle**on Boxing Day. Three goals and an assist in the seven games since, playing every minute possible under three different managers, the Danish international has the full confidence of the coaching staff in an attacking position.
Dorgu is not unfamiliar with playing in a forward role, however. Despite being utilised mainly as a left wing-back at Lecce in Italy, he was used as a right winger for ten games, scoring against **Venezia**and **Parma**at the start of last season.
United's number 13 has also been working on his shooting and attacking skills in private training sessions, shared by his private coach on social media last week.
This was something that was a big part of his game at Lecce and before that. His previous manager for Denmark's U19s, Jens Olsen, said he was a "highly creative player" and that moving to Manchester to play wing back was a "mistake".
Dorgu was never truly a left wing-back in Italy. He was utilised as the Italian outfit's only wide player on the left in their 3-4-1-2 formation, which was slightly different to that used by Ruben Amorim at United. This meant Dorgu had many more attacking responsibilities, allowing Lecce to put crosses into the box and give them their width on the left flank.
In his season-and-a-half at Lecce, the Dane averaged over a shot per 90 from left wing-back, as well as league leadings attacking stats for a full back. He won 2.69 fouls per 90 with his explosivity and overlapping runs being a key part of his game, making him one of the most well rounded wing backs in Europe, and had links to the likes of Napoli.
Dorgu didn't neglect the defensive side of his game though, with a 55% ground dual success rate and 4.84 recoveries per game, showing he covered the field more than most full backs or wingers would.
Patrick Dorgu's Serie A 2024/25 heat map | Anthony Onifade, Between the Lines
Being the only 'first team' signing of last year's January transfer window, coming in at the same time as Ayden Heaven, the spotlight was firmly on Dorgu to show something the likes of Luke Shaw or Diogo Dalot did not have in the left wing back position.
Whilst he had his critics, with many labelling him as an average wing back who was just there to add depth to the squad, Dorgu quietly went under the radar in his first half season at Old Trafford.
Despite being red carded in just his fourth appearance in a Man United shirt, Dorgu still averaged 7.74 duals won per 90 in his 17 starts, putting him among the best ball winning full backs in the league. He also averaged three fouls won per 90, showing he carried the ball carrying quality from Lecce.
Dorgu took this end of season form away to pre-season in Asia and the USA, where he impressed in the PL Summer Series with a string of impressive attacking performances and even grabbing a goal against Bournemouth. He was lauded by many as the standout player from the pre-season tour.
In the first portion of this season, he was in and out the team, being rotated with Diogo Dalot. He impressed against Chelsea in September as he grabbed an assist, but failed to make a mark in the league, starting nine of a possible 17 games before Boxing Day.
Amorim was quoted in saying he could "feel the anxiety" when Dorgu was on the ball, showing he never had faith in the Dane's dribbling ability which he has shown previously. He did shine on the international stage, with goals against Scotland and Belarus coming from more defensive positions.
Just a month later however, Dorgu would start as a right winger against Newcastle with **Amad**and Bryan Mbeumo at the AFCON and Bruno Fernandes out injured, with Amorim forced to change his shape. He took his chance with a superb volley and put in a player of the match performance. He won 75% of his ground duals, completed four recoveries and had an xGOT of 0.89.
Since then, he has not looked back, with the Dane being trusted with a spot on either wing under Amorim, Darren Fletcher and now Carrick, with his only dip in performance coming against Brighton in the FA Cup. His performance against Man City was arguably his best, winning the most duals on the pitch whilst having a 77% pass accuracy and capping the game off with a goal.
Dorgu now has four goal contributions in his last eight games, putting up numbers for comfortably his best season for output of his career. The 21-year-old has a better conversion rate this season than the likes of Mo Salah and Ebere Eze, all whilst winning more duals than Jurrien Timber at a huge 9.45 per 90.
Patrick Dorgu found himself as one of United's most valuable players almost overnight, and will be a real miss as he sits on the side lines until April. He has flourished in his new role, so hopefully he can rediscover this form again in the future.