Patrick Dorgu was the architect of Manchester United’s initial resurgence under Michael Carrick, but the team he will return to will look a lot different.
In many ways, Patrick Dorgu was Michael Carrick’s first tactical success story as Man Utd’s interim manager, as he roared into life against Man City and Arsenal.
In both games, he played as a high and wide left-winger, using his physicality and energy to overwhelm his opponents, and adding a touch of stardust goal quality in the process.
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The injury halted his momentum at the worst possible time, but that means he must be unleashed in a new role when he returns because it would be the best of both worlds.
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Patrick Dorgu’s new role at Man Utd
Dorgu has been at the club for just over a year, but he has already played four different positions under three different managers.
Ruben Amorim debuted him as a right wing-back, then settled at left wing-back, before Darren Fletcher played him as a left-back, and then as a left winger under Michael Carrick.
Left wing is where he started to do the most damage under Carrick, but in his absence, Matheus Cunha has made that position his own.
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Cunha’s work off the ball and the ability to carry it forward in possession are crucial to Carrick’s style of play, which means Dorgu faces an uphill task in regaining that position.
Fortunately, Cunha’s rise means the team will be even better off when Dorgu returns, since his overlapping role as a left-back is tailor-made for Cunha’s game.
Dorgu should settle into a left-back role when he returns from injury because it’s the best of both worlds, and even better for a third player not in the picture.
Why Dorgu’s left-back role is the ultimate solution
By playing Dorgu at left-back, multiple squad problems are solved in an instant.
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One, Cunha can happily cut inside onto his stronger right foot without worrying about a lack of width, as Dorgu is a natural overlapping presence.
Dorgu won’t have to work twice as hard as he used to when he played on the wing ahead of Luke Shaw, since Cunha works hard in defence.
In attack, he can find more combinations instead of being a “run to the byline and cross” type of player, since United can overload the middle by playing Cunha ahead of him.
From a squad perspective, Dorgu’s left-back role will help Shaw manage his minutes because he can play in rotation with Dorgu, which will also help the Dane slowly ramp up his minutes as he returns from injury.
United will finally be able to implement Carrick’s lopsided full-back system and attack with a front five when Dorgu joins the attack with the front four, whoever they are.
It means Diogo Dalot will also be able to do what he does best, which is to progress the ball to the final third without any attacking responsibility in that phase.
Dorgu at left-back is the final piece of the puzzle to unlock the highest potential of the current squad. Some midfield reinforcements turn this squad into title contenders.
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