Manchester United will be without promising defender Patrick Dorgu for an estimated 10 weeks after he sustained a hamstring injury during Sunday’s 3-2 shock victory over Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
The setback comes amid a remarkable run for interim manager Michael Carrick, who has led United to consecutive high-profile wins, including last week’s triumph over Manchester City.
Dorgu had been instrumental in the clash, opening the scoring with a composed strike past Arsenal goalkeeper Senne Lammens to give United a crucial advantage.
However, his afternoon was cut short in the second half when he was forced off after chasing a long ball, raising immediate concerns about the severity of his condition.
Extent of injury under assessment
Reports from The Athletic indicate that United are still evaluating the full extent of the injury, but early indications suggest a hamstring problem that could keep Dorgu sidelined for approximately 10 weeks.
This timeline means he is likely to miss eight Premier League fixtures, including crucial matches against Tottenham, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Everton, and Bournemouth.
Carrick remained cautious in his post-match comments, offering hope while acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the injury.
“He obviously came off with, hopefully, a little bit of cramp, hopefully it’s nothing worse. At this stage, it’s hard to tell, so we’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully it’s not too bad,” he said.
Impact on United’s season
The Denmark international of Nigerian descent has been a standout performer since joining United last season, making 22 Premier League appearances and contributing three goals and three assists.
His recent form has been particularly impressive, with two goals and one assist in his last five league outings. Dorgu’s absence adds to United’s defensive woes, with fellow defender Matthijs de Ligt also sidelined, having missed the last 11 games due to a back problem sustained in December.
