Manchester United star sidelined for weeks with hamstring injury

Manchester United forward Patrick Dorgu is expected to be sidelined for several weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury during Sunday’s 3-2 victory over Arsenal.

The 21-year-old Denmark international, who has become a focal point of interim head coach Michael Carrick’s revitalised system, was forced off in the closing stages at the Emirates Stadium. While Carrick initially expressed hope that the issue was merely a severe cramp, subsequent assessments have confirmed a more significant muscular injury.

Impact on United’s Momentum

The injury comes at a precarious time for both player and club. Dorgu has been in scintillating form, scoring in consecutive high-stakes victories against Manchester City and Arsenal. His goal on Sunday—a powerful strike from the edge of the penalty area—highlighted his successful transition from a traditional wing-back to an advanced attacking role on the left flank.

Club sources indicate that while the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated, Dorgu is unlikely to feature in United’s dense fixture list leading up to the March international break.

United’s Upcoming Schedule:

• Premier League: Eight matches scheduled before mid-March.
• International Concerns: Dorgu is a vital component of the Denmark squad, which faces crucial World Cup play-offs in March.

Tactical Adjustments

Dorgu’s absence presents a significant selection headache for Carrick, who remains unbeaten since succeeding Ruben Amorim. The Danish youngster, a £25 million signing from Lecce in February 2025, had struggled for consistency under the previous regime but has flourished as a “revelation” in Carrick’s new tactical setup.

The injury likely opens the door for Matheus Cunha. Despite starting the last two matches on the bench, Cunha proved his value on Sunday by scoring the winning goal against the Gunners. Carrick may now look to the Brazilian to provide the creative output lost in Dorgu’s absence.

This injury represents the first major hurdle of the Michael Carrick era. Dorgu was the embodiment of United’s recent transformation—direct, clinical, and physically imposing. For a player who was previously on the fringes of the squad under Amorim, this layoff is particularly cruel timing, just as he was justifying the faith shown in him by Director of Football Jason Wilcox.

The medical staff will be under pressure to manage his recovery carefully, especially as Denmark’s World Cup aspirations hang in the balance and United’s push for European qualification intensifies.