- Manchester United full-back has been out for two months
- Had become a different player under Carrick
- Pulled his hamstring in United’s 3-2 win over Arsenal
After a remarkable start under Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick, Patrick Dorgu appeared almost unrecognisable.
Stronger, quicker, and imbued with newfound confidence, he was dazzling on the left wing in a way that his previous role as a wing-back never allowed.
While signs of improvement had begun under Ruben Amorim, the transformation in Carrick’s opening two matches was exponential. He looked like a shadow of his former self.
His decisive contributions against Manchester City and Arsenal—finding the net for United’s second goal in each fixture—combined with displays against Leeds and Burnley in the Premier League and Brighton in the FA Cup, were enough to earn him the Red Devils’ Player of the Month award.
But, of course, just half an hour after his wonder strike against Arsenal, Dorgu would pull up with a hamstring injury after running and stretching for a long ball, leaving him sidelined now 61 days—just under 10 weeks.
With the Danish winger expected to miss 10 weeks of football, United fans are beginning to become restless as they wait for his return.
When will Dorgu return?
Whilst United await the return of their left-sided winger–full-back hybrid, attention turns to the specifics of his injury. At just 21, this marks only the second professional injury of his career—and the first to sideline him for more than a single match.
A partial hamstring tear typically requires four to eight weeks of recovery, giving medics reason to be optimistic that the rambunctious Dane would soon be back on the pitch.
Unfortunately, Dorgu’s setback proved slightly more severe than a standard partial tear, with reports suggesting he could miss up to ten weeks of football. A professional athlete may recover quickly, but rushing back risks aggravating the injury before it fully heals.
Dorgu has spent his time at Carrington focusing on strength and conditioning under the close supervision of the coaching staff. A report from Centredevils claims that he has made a “positive step in his recovery” and is “aiming to return before the end of the season.”
In a video taken at Carrington, he can be seen performing targeted exercises to recondition his thigh, work designed not only to aid recovery, but to make the muscle stronger than before.
Where Will Dorgu Slot in?
Whilst Dorgu was electric in the two games under Carrick, it was just two games. When the Dane eventually works his way past his injury and back into the squad, we will likely see him getting minutes off the bench, rather than in the starting lineup.
With injuries to players like Lisandro Martinez in recent years, Carrick must learn from those before him, knowing precisely when to reintroduce a recovering player, and just as crucially, when to hold them back.
With just seven games left of the Premier League season, we will likely see Dorgu feature in the tail end of those games, as he looks to reclaim his spot in the starting 11.
