Injury expert reveals ‘one positive’ for Patrick Dorgu as Man Utd decide replacement

Little over a month ago, the thought of Patrick Dorgu being ruled out for Manchester United would have barely registered.

But a transformation that began with his first goal for the club against Newcastle United on 27 December means United will now greatly miss a player whose influence has grown significantly.

United supporters caught glimpses of it under Ruben Amorim with the process continuing under Darren Fletcher. But under Michael Carrick’s guidance, Dorgu has emerged as a dynamic and ruthless winger with two goals in two appearances against Manchester City and Arsenal.

The joy that followed his outrageous half volley at the Emirates on Sunday was followed by concern however when the Denmark international pulled up chasing a long ball. While Michael Carrick was initially hopeful it was an issue of cramp, reports this week claim Dorgu suffered a hamstring injury that could sideline him up to 10 weeks.

United are still to confirm the extent of the injury with Carrick expected to provide an update on Friday ahead of the weekend.

Stephen Smith, CEO and founder of Kitman Labs which specialises in injury welfare and performance analytics, believes Dorgu suffered a more severe grade 2 hamstring tear in north London which would fit that timeline.

‘This week they will have a clear picture of how long it is going to take [to recover from],’ Smith told Metro.

‘We have heard the estimations of it being 8-10 weeks so from the images they have seen they will have probably learned it is more serious than Michael Carrick was hoping for.

‘They are likely looking at a high grade 2 tear. From that timeline, that’s what it would suggest.’

That timeline will sidelined Dorgu for the next eight matches with a possible return against Leeds United on 11 April.

While it serves as a major blow to Carrick’s plans, Smith suggests the fact Dorgu did not appear to pick up the injury on his favoured left side can be taken as a positive.

‘They won’t treat him any differently when it comes to his recovery, he said.

‘The one positive we can maybe take from this is from looking at the video, it wasn’t his dominant leg or his kicking leg. That makes a difference because the demands being placed on that leg are slightly different.

‘If you have to run with that leg and also carry all the power you strike a ball with through it like we saw against Arsenal, the demands pushed through that leg to hit the ball with that power are huge. That changes the demands from a rehab perspective so I would think if it’s his non-dominant leg maybe it makes things a little more simple.’

With Amad Diallo causing havoc down the right, Dorgu offered United a natural and dangerous wide option down the left. As a result of United’s shift to 3-4-3 under Ruben Amorim, they are short of natural wingers but Matheus Cunha’s superb contribution against City and Arsenal should see him come into the side.

The Brazil international replaced Bryan Mbeumo in both those games as Carrick reshuffled his attack, providing the assist for Dorgu against City before his sensational winner at the Emirates.

Mason Mount is also an option to take up that role on the left while Shea Lacey could also get a look-in during the weeks to come.

Elsewhere, Carrick must decide whether to persist with Mbeumo through the middle having also scored in both games. Benjamin Sesko bagged three in two appearances under Fletcher but is still to start under the new boss.