Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim faces immediate selection headaches as wing-back Patrick Dorgu walks a disciplinary tightrope ahead of Monday's Premier League encounter with Everton.
Suspension Looming for Key Defender
Patrick Dorgu has accumulated four yellow cards this season and requires just one more caution to trigger an automatic one-match ban. The Danish defender has been booked in matches against Tottenham, Brentford, Arsenal and during his brief appearance against Brighton.
Having already played 624 minutes across 10 Premier League appearances this campaign, Dorgu's potential absence could disrupt United's defensive setup at a critical period. Should he receive another booking, he'll miss United's next fixture after reaching the maximum number of cautions permitted before gameweek 19.
Amorim's Contingency Plans
Fortunately for United supporters, Amorim appears to have prepared for this eventuality. The Portuguese manager has previously deployed Amad at right wing-back, a tactical adjustment that saw regular right-back Diogo Dalot shift to the opposite flank.
This flexibility provides United with cover, as either Noussair Mazraoui or Dalot can comfortably operate on either side of defence when required. The situation becomes more complex considering upcoming international commitments that will deprive United of several key players.
International Absences Compound Selection Crisis
Bryan Mbeumo will represent Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Amad will likewise be unavailable as he joins the Ivory Coast squad for the tournament. These absences, combined with Dorgu's suspension risk and existing injury concerns, present Amorim with significant challenges during the busy festive period.
United currently face injury concerns regarding Benjamin Sesko, who sustained a knee problem during the draw against Tottenham. The situation prompted a public disagreement between Slovenia's national team and United over the severity of the injury, though manager Matjaz Kek later clarified that "the problem was solved in five minutes" once proper communication was established between the medical teams.
Additional fitness concerns surround Harry Maguire and Casemiro, though the Brazilian midfielder managed to feature and score for his country during the international break. Casemiro himself faces suspension concerns, having collected three yellow cards already this season.
Busy Festive Schedule Ahead
United face seven Premier League matches before the New Year, beginning with Everton at Old Trafford on Monday evening. The Reds then encounter Crystal Palace, West Ham United, Wolves, Bournemouth and Aston Villa before the Christmas break, with fixtures against Newcastle United and Wolves completing the hectic schedule.
With multiple forwards potentially unavailable, players like Matheus Cunha, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee may see increased responsibility. Speculation about Zirkzee's future has emerged due to limited playing time, though suggestions of a January return to Serie A have been dismissed by the club.
United are expected to be active in the January transfer window, with Amorim previously expressing interest in strengthening his midfield options. The club made enquiries for Brighton's Carlos Baleba during the summer but declined to meet the substantial asking price.
Alternative targets include Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, while Wolves' Joao Gomes has emerged as the latest potential acquisition as the Midlands club struggle near the bottom of the table.
