Patrick Dorgu has told Michael Carrick that he would prefer to settle into one fixed position at Manchester United, with left-back the role he considers most natural, even as he insists he remains happy to play wherever the head coach needs him.
The Denmark international’s comments land at a time when United continue to shuffle him between left-back and left wing, a rotation that feeds directly into the club’s wider defensive problems this season. Dorgu’s preference doesn’t change the fact he’s shown himself willing to play the attacking roles Carrick has asked of him, but it does put a marker down for after the international break.
Dorgu explains his stance
Speaking to Danish outlet Tipsbladet, Dorgu explained he would rather have one fixed position because it makes things easier to work on from the training pitch, even if he accepted that plenty of players these days operate across several roles. His overriding point was simple: he just wants to be on the pitch, regardless of where that ends up being.
He added that he started his professional career as a left-back, calling it his most natural position, while stressing he can also play the attacking roles United have used him in. Since arriving from Lecce in January 2025, Dorgu has barely had a settled brief. Ruben Amorim primarily played him as a left wing-back, before Carrick shifted him into a left winger role once he replaced Amorim in the dugout.
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Competition mounts on the left
Dorgu’s displays in a more advanced role towards the end of last season helped United finish third and secure Champions League football, but his form has dipped this term as he’s been shuttled between left-back and left wing. That’s partly a squad problem: Luke Shaw remains United’s first-choice left-back after 12 years at the club, Marcus Rashford has returned from his spell at Barcelona in good form, and Matheus Cunha performed well during the months Dorgu was sidelined injured.
Dorgu himself called it a challenge, but one that can make him a better footballer by competing against three players who’ve all performed well in the Premier League. His task now is to take his chances and show Carrick he can be trusted, a message that echoes how his attacking qualities have shaped United’s left-back planning since his arrival.
What comes next
Dorgu is expected to feature in an attacking role for Denmark against Norway during this international break, giving Carrick another data point on how he performs further forward before club football resumes. The underlying question for United’s head coach hasn’t gone away: whether to hand Dorgu a settled run at left-back or continue leaning on his versatility elsewhere on the left side.
| Head Coach | Primary Role Used | Notes |
| Ruben Amorim | Left wing-back | Dorgu’s primary role after his January 2025 arrival from Lecce |
| Michael Carrick | Left winger | Mostly used further forward, with promising form late last season |
| Michael Carrick (2026-27) | Left-back / left wing | Alternating between the two positions this term |