Manchester United faces Everton on Sunday, aiming to build on recent positive momentum. Following a disappointing opening fixture loss, the team secured a convincing 5-2 victory last weekend, showcasing the attacking prowess fans have eagerly anticipated. However, the upcoming match against Everton presents a significant challenge, particularly on home turf. Despite this, United holds a historical advantage, having avoided defeat in their last four visits to Merseyside, including a narrow 1-0 win earlier this year. A victory against Everton could further bolster United’s position in the league, but a persistent injury crisis threatens to undermine the club’s progress and intensify scrutiny on manager Michael Carrick.

Mounting Injury Concerns Ahead of Everton Clash

The squad is currently grappling with a substantial number of absentees, with up to seven players potentially unavailable for the Everton game. Fitness issues are impacting nearly every area of the team. While the forward line has largely been spared, Amad Diallo is a doubt due to a training injury. Significant financial investments are also sidelined, with the £70 million summer acquisition Carlos Baleba recovering from an ankle problem. Furthermore, Manuel Ugarte faces a prolonged absence, not expected to return until 2027 after an ankle injury. Midfielder Mason Mount is another concern, having sustained a foot injury, though recent reports indicate he has resumed training. Manager Michael Carrick expressed optimism about Mount’s return, stating, “Mase is back around the group, which was great. Trained this week, so that’s a big positive for us.”

Defensive and Goalkeeping Absences

The defensive unit is particularly hard-hit. Matthijs de Ligt continues his rehabilitation from a back issue and is not anticipated to be available before the month’s end. Luke Shaw is also a doubt after being substituted in the 73rd minute of the recent win over Ipswich due to a muscle injury. In goal, Tom Heaton remains unavailable. However, with Senne Lammens and Karl Darlow currently ahead of him in the goalkeeping hierarchy, Heaton’s absence is not expected to cause significant disruption for Carrick.

Patrick Dorgu: An Unexpected Solution at Left-Back?

Amidst these widespread injury concerns, Manchester United may have found an unconventional solution for the left-back position in Patrick Dorgu. The 21-year-old Danish international joined United from Lecce for a reported £25 million last year. Initially, Dorgu was primarily utilized as a wing-back. However, since Carrick’s appointment in January, his role has evolved, with the player increasingly deployed in a more advanced left-sided midfield or winger position. Dorgu has demonstrated impressive performances in this advanced role.

The current defensive shortages, however, could necessitate a tactical shift, potentially seeing Dorgu revert to the left-back role he occupied earlier in his tenure. Carrick himself has alluded to Dorgu as a viable option to cover for Luke Shaw, even likening his return to full fitness to acquiring “a new signing.”

Carrick’s View on Dorgu’s Versatility

Carrick elaborated on Dorgu’s adaptability, noting, “He can certainly play there. He has done, without doubt.” He further explained the player’s situation: “He actually has been injured, unfortunately, for some time. You could almost argue that he played three or four times for us last season, so for me, he’s almost like a new player, you know, to have, and it’s almost like a new signing in some ways because he’s added so much to the group.”

Highlighting Dorgu’s broader capabilities, Carrick added, “He’s played off the right for Denmark, scored a great goal in the summer playing off the right in a forward position. He can play left-back. He’s that type where he can do a number of things. I’m certainly not saying he can’t do that at all.”

The manager acknowledged that while the need to deploy Dorgu at left-back hasn’t been pressing thus far, it remains a distinct possibility. “It’s something he can, we just haven’t had to explore that. At some point, we might have to, at some point he might do that. He can do that, absolutely no problem. There are times in training when he does it.” Carrick concluded by emphasizing the player’s youth and potential: “And then he’s only young, being such a young age and having the attributes that he’s got, we’ve just got to keep trying to get the most out of him.”

Looking Ahead to Everton

The tactical flexibility offered by Dorgu could prove crucial as Manchester United navigates its challenging fixture list and significant injury list. Whether Carrick opts to deploy the young Dane in his former defensive role or continues with his more advanced position will be a key decision as the team seeks to maintain its positive trajectory against Everton.