Patrick Dorgu has started both of Manchester United's opening two pre-season fixtures under Michael Carrick on the left wing in attack after previously operating as a left-wing-back when Rúben Amorim was head coach.
Manchester United have started their 2026 pre-season in a positive fashion following their third-place finish in the Premier League last term.
After his mid-season appointment as an interim, Michael Carrick guided a struggling Reds side back to the Champions League and earned the permanent head coach position.
He is now looking ahead to the new campaign, and United have two pre-season outings under their belt. An initial 1-0 defeat to Championship side Wrexham was followed up by a thumping 5-0 win against Rosenborg.
Patrick Dorgu started both games for United on the left wing – the same position he played in all three of his starts under Carrick last season. He scored in each of those games, which included a sublime strike against eventual title-winners Arsenal.
When Dorgu arrived at Old Trafford from Lecce in January of 2025, it was believed that he would be perfect for the left-wing-back position in Amorim's 3-4-3 formation, and that is where he spent the majority of his games under the Portuguese boss.
However, when the Reds reverted to a back-four shape with Carrick, it seemed more likely that Dorgu would be used as an attacking full-back rather than a winger. Yet, he seemed to impress there in his few appearances before an untimely injury.
Some fans are still sceptical over the use of Dorgu in an advanced position, but the Danish international has explained why he enjoys playing on the wing.
Speaking to club media following United's first pre-season game, Dorgu said: "Yeah, I find it good, it's good to play a bit higher up [the pitch]. You have cover from your left-back and you have a bit more freedom on the pitch.
"So yeah, it's nice to play there and hopefully I play many more games there to improve my game there and be even more sharp in that position."
Even though Dorgu clearly enjoys the benefits of playing in attack, he also assured that he is prepared to play wherever Carrick needs him to.
"I feel like I can play in a lot of positions, and I trust myself in a lot of positions," he added. "Wherever the coach thinks I can do the best job, I will give everything to the team."
Certain games this season will call for Dorgu to play on the wing as his physicality and work rate can help the Reds, but in other game states, United will likely need someone like Matheus Cunha to unlock a defence.
It is strange that we are still yet to see him play as a left-back in a back four, and when the likes of Cunha and potentially Marcus Rashford return for pre-season, it could give Carrick the chance to test that ahead of the Premier League opener against Hull City.