Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim is facing a fresh selection headache ahead of his side's clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers, with defender Patrick Dorgu walking a disciplinary tightrope.
The Suspension Threat Looms
Full-back Patrick Dorgu will have to be on his absolute best behaviour when United host Wolves on December 30. The 21-year-old Denmark international is currently sitting on four yellow cards for the Premier League season.
According to competition rules, any player who accumulates five cautions before their team's 19th match of the campaign receives an automatic one-match suspension. With United's game against Wolves being their 18th, Dorgu is in clear danger of missing a crucial subsequent fixture.
A Squad Already Stretched Thin
The potential loss of Dorgu comes at a particularly difficult time for Amorim. The United squad is already significantly depleted due to the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which has called away three key players.
Furthermore, captain Bruno Fernandes remains among those sidelined through injury, compounding the manager's selection problems. This context makes Dorgu's availability even more critical for a team seeking consistency.
From Criticism to Crucial Contributor
Dorgu's current predicament follows a period of personal resurgence. Just weeks ago, the £30 million signing from Lecce was openly criticised by Amorim for playing with too much anxiety and was subsequently dropped from the starting line-up.
However, after being named as a substitute for five consecutive fixtures, the wing-back fought his way back into the team. His return has been impactful, providing an assist in the match against Aston Villa and scoring the winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
That strike at St. James' Park marked his first goal for the club since his arrival in the January 2024 transfer window, adding to his three assists in 38 appearances for the Red Devils.
Handling the Pressure
Speaking after his match-winning contribution against Newcastle, Dorgu addressed how he handled the recent criticism from his manager. "Of course, it's never nice to get criticism, but you will always get it as a player," he told reporters.
"And you need to react well to it, and I think I've reacted well in the last couple of games," Dorgu added, explaining that he looked inward to understand Amorim's comments about his confidence and worked to rebuild it.
Now, having seemingly cemented a starting role in Amorim's revamped line-up, the challenge is to maintain his discipline. A single booking against Wolves, who are currently bottom of the table, would rule him out of a vital trip to face Leeds United at Elland Road.
Amorim will be desperate to have the defender, who is under contract at Old Trafford until 2030, available for that Yorkshire derby. The manager's reliance on Dorgu has increased out of necessity due to AFCON absences, and the player has so far seized his opportunity.
The coming 90 minutes against Wolves will be a tense test of nerve for both player and manager, as they navigate a fixture that could have significant consequences for United's defensive options in the new year.
