United star suffers heartbreak after serious injury is unveiled, Carrick will be devastated to lose him – The Athletic

Manchester United star Patrick Dorgu has suffered a more serious injury than first anticipated after the Dane was forced off the field against Arsenal on Sunday, according to The Athletic. A Massive Blow Dorgu was one of United’s standout players in the 3-2 win at the Emirates as he rifled home a goal of the season contender on the half-volley to put his side in front. However, in a cruel twist, the 21-year-old wide man, who has been reinvented as a left-winger under Michael Carrick, had to be substituted in the final period of the game after chasing down a long ball, being replaced by Benjamin Sesko. It was initially unclear what the nature of the injury was, with United’s caretaker coach hoping that it was just muscle cramp. The fact that Dorgu remained on the bench after the substitution, instead of heading straight down the tunnel, leant further weight to this idea. And his celebrations on the pitch at full-time, joining his teammates in front of the away end, offered even more hope that the issue was minor, rather than anything serious However, Laurie Whitwell (The Athletic) reports the Denmark international has suffered a hamstring injury and is expected to be “out for around 10 weeks” after undergoing tests. 🚨 Bad news for #MUFC: Patrick Dorgu set to be out for around 10 weeks after scans reveal hamstring injury. Exact timelines still being assessed but more significant issue than cramp, as first hoped. w @greggevans40 @SebSB @mjcritchley ⬇️https://t.co/gW0RMisiDh — Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) January 27, 2026 Tweet: “Bad news for #MUFC: Patrick Dorgu set to be out for around 10 weeks after scans reveal hamstring injury. Exact timelines still being assessed but more significant issue than cramp, as first hoped.” Whitwell reveals the club are “still assessing the extent of the injury,” which means a timeline for a return is “not totally certain” – but it will not be quick one. A ten-week absence would see him miss United’s next eight games, with a prospective return after the March international break, with Leeds United’s visiting Old Trafford on April 11. A Silver Lining It is desperately unlucky that Dorgu is set for an extended period on the side lines after enjoying the best month of his fledging United career, having arrived at Old Trafford in the January transfer window from Serie A minnow Lecce last year. After being redeployed on the left wing, the youngster scored in back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Manchester City, while delivering a brilliant assist against Burnley. He would have been chomping at the bit to face Fulham at home this weekend, with the Stretford End keen to see him continue his rich vein of form. However, fellow Athletic reporter Carl Anka offers a silver lining for United fans, however, as Dorgu is “not yet requiring surgery”, which suggests a grade two tear, rather than a grade three – the most serious type of hamstring injury.  Had the Copenhagen native required surgery, the timeline for his return would go from weeks to months, with the worst hamstring injuries taking up to six months to recover from. The fact that Dorgu will miss just over two months, in combination with being a young and fit player, suggests his return will be a smooth one, even if it is a personally heart-breaking moment for him – and a massive blow for his coach and teammates. Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.