Michael Carrick has hinted that Patrick Dorgu could be redeployed as a left-back at Manchester United after the club failed to sign a left-sided defender on deadline day. The 21-year-old has been described by Carrick as being "like a new signing" following his comeback from injury.
Transfer window failure leaves cover short
United were in the market for a left-sided full-back heading into the final days of the transfer window but failed to get anybody over the line. They even reportedly asked bitter rivals Manchester City about the availability of Rayan Ait-Nouri, only to be told no in an embarrassing twist.
Dorgu has made four starts under Carrick but was sidelined for much of last season due to a hamstring problem. After starting on the wing at Hull City on the opening day of this campaign, he was dropped to the bench for the victory over Ipswich.
Dorgu's versatility under the spotlight
He has exclusively featured on the wing under Carrick, having previously been deployed as a wing-back by Ruben Amorim, though he was operating at left-back for Lecce when United signed him last year. Dorgu may be required to return to that position after Carrick found himself without cover at left-back when the transfer window closed on Tuesday evening.
It leaves Luke Shaw as the sole natural option for that position in the squad, with Dorgu amongst several makeshift alternatives, including Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot.
Carrick's assessment
"He can certainly play there, he has done, without doubt," said Carrick. "I'm not sitting here saying he can't do that. It's just the way we've been since I've been here.
"He actually has been injured, unfortunately, for some time. You could almost argue that he played three or four times for us last season."
"So for me, he's almost like a new player, you know, to have, and it's almost like a new signing in some ways because he's added so much to the group."
Potential shift in position
Dorgu has excelled operating as a left-winger under Carrick and has featured on the right flank for Denmark, scoring an impressive goal from that position during the summer. However, with United's squad well-stocked with attacking wide players but lacking depth at full-back, Carrick may consider deploying him in that deeper position at some point this campaign.
"He's played off the right for Denmark, scored a great goal in the summer playing off the right in a forward position," said Carrick. "He can play left-back. He's that type where he can do a number of things. I'm certainly not saying he can't do that at all.
"It's something he can, we just haven't had to explore that. At some point, we might have to, at some point he might do that. He can do that, absolutely no problem. There are times in training when he does it.
"And then he's only young, being such a young age and having the attributes that he's got, we've just got to keep trying to get the most out of him."
