Michael Carrick has confirmed that Patrick Dorgu will not feature for Manchester United against Roma, despite the winger returning to team training after an extended lay-off with a hamstring injury picked up on international duty in September.
The injury had left the Red Devils without one of their senior left-back options, contributing to a shortage in that position following Luke Shaw's muscle injury, which has also kept the England international out. Dorgu's comeback is a boost for head coach Carrick, who has overseen a nine-game winless run that has increased pressure on the former midfielder.
Dorgu's return and Carrick's update
Speaking to the media, Carrick said: "It was his first day with the group, great to have him back, but he won't be involved tomorrow. We'll see how he progresses for the week [ahead]."
United return to continental competition tomorrow, but the Dane will play no part in the match.
Pressure on Carrick after recent defeats
The sack appeared imminent after 4-1 and 3-0 defeats by Como and Bournemouth respectively, but Carrick was retained by the club's hierarchy ahead of the trip to Chelsea last weekend. United were beaten once more by the Blues, with Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer scoring for the hosts as Lisandro Martinez was sent off for the visitors, who slid to 17th in the Premier League table.
Carrick was also asked about Martinez's mindset after the Argentine's red card, which followed his TV interview in the wake of the defeat by Atletico Madrid last month. "I've got no concerns about commitment at all," the head coach continued. "Things happen in football, sometimes you make mistakes, sometimes it goes well for you, but commitment is not an issue, for sure."
