New injury blow for Carrick as his Man Utd favourite set for extended time on the sidelines

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick will have to do without Patrick Dorgu for another couple of months.The 21-year-old has had his ups and downs after joining the Red Devils from Lecce in January 2025, but he immediately found his best form under the 44-year-old manager, who entrusted him with a higher role up the pitch.DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL STRETTY NEWS APP FOR ALL THE LATEST UPDATES & BREAKING NEWS – STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON APPLE & GOOGLE PLAYThe Copenhagen native was brilliant in Carrick’s first two games in charge. While playing as a left winger, his goals helped Man Utd beat Manchester City in the Derby, and then league leaders Arsenal the following week.Sadly for Dorgu, a hamstring injury forced him to stop following the win at the Emirates Stadium.Patrick Dorgu set for another two months on the sidelinesDorgu’s injury was swiftly described as serious, with sources suggesting he could be out for 10 weeks, predicting a return in early April.However, The Athletic journalist Carl Anka has now delivered a worse verdict, as he believes that the player won’t return before mid-April. Patrick Dorgu is unlikely to return from his hamstring injury until mid-April [@Ankaman616, @TheAthleticFC] — utdreport (@utdreport) February 24, 2026It should also be noted that these long layoffs are always followed by a rehabilitation period, as even when the player is considered medically cleared, he still requires additional time to regain his optimal athletic condition.Therefore, Dorgu might not regain a prominent role in the team before the final weeks of the campaign. Dorgu’s Stats in 25/26 Appearances Minutes Goals Assists Premier League 22 1.333′ 3 3 FA Cup 1 90′ 0 0 Carabao Cup 1 45′ 0 0 Total 24 1,468′ 3 3 Why Man Utd will miss DorguWhile Carrick had decided to field Dorgu as a left winger instead of Matheus Cunha against City and Arsenal, it remains unclear whether this choice was due to the size of the opposition.In any case, Man Utd have enough options in attack at the moment, especially with Mason Mount set for an imminent return, and Shea Lacey knocking on the first team’s door.(Photo by Ion Alcoba Beitia/Getty Images)Nevertheless, Carrick will be praying that Luke Shaw remains fit until the end of the season. With Dorgu out of action, the Englishman’s most natural replacement is Tyrell Malacia, who has become an afterthought at Carrington.The alternative option is to convert either Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui to the left flank.