“He can certainly play there” – Carrick expects Man Utd star to fill left-back hole

Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick believes Patrick Dorgu can be the solution for the left-back shortage.

Last season, Luke Shaw started in all 38 of the club’s Premier League fixtures, a feat that is virtually impossible to replicate with the Red Devils back in the Champions League.

Therefore, INEOS were expected to address the issue by signing a player capable of sharing the role with the 31-year-old. But while fans awaited the reinforcement until the final day of the summer transfer window, no one came through the door

Michael Carrick tips Patrick Dorgu to play at left-back

Man Utd’s Director of Football Jason Wilcox was keen to recruit Lewis Hall, who was identified as the best possible option for the role.

But when Newcastle United decided to close the door, the Red Devils simply delayed Hall’s chase for next season and were only willing to find a temporary solution on loan, and ended up failing in the quest.

Therefore, Carrick has to come up with an internal solution, and he believes repackaging Dorgu could be his best option.

“He (Dorgu) can certainly play there, he has done and I am not saying he can’t do that,” said the Man Utd head coach in Friday’s press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Everton (via the Manchester Evening News).

“He’s unfortunately been injured for some time. For me he’s almost like a new player to have, like a new signing in some ways because he’s added so much to the group.

“He played off the right for Denmark and scored a great goal in the summer, he can play left-back. He can do a number of things. At some point he might have to do that,” added the 45-year-old.

“There are times in training when he does it. He’s only young and having the attributes he has got, we have to try and get the most out of him.”

Is Dorgu the best left-back solution for Man Utd?

At this stage, we still expect Noussair Mazraoui to act as Shaw’s main replacement, as the Moroccan represents a reliable and experienced option.

But in the long run, Dorgu must start vying for this role, as it remains his best chance to make it at Man Utd. After all, he doesn’t truly possess the technical skills to overtake Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford further up the pitch.

The Dane’s physical and technical attributes render him a natural fit at left-back, which happens to be his original role dating back to his time at Lecce.

The 21-year-old must improve his marking and overall defensive capabilities to challenge for a spot at the back, so perhaps Jonny Evans and Jonathan Woodgate could lend him a hand.