Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick is reportedly furious with Patrick Dorgu following the player’s performance in the club’s 2-1 pre-season victory over Atletico Madrid and has told the board that the left-sided defender will not be part of his starting plans next season.
According to sources, Carrick delivered a scathing assessment of the 21-year-old Dane after the match. “I’m so disappointed with him today. I wasn’t completely sure about him before, but what he showed me has confirmed that he will definitely not be in my starting XI next season. His passing hasn’t improved, his shooting is poor, and he can’t even hold on to the ball. I expected much more from him,” the United boss is said to have revealed.
Despite the result against the Spanish side, Carrick is understood to have lost patience with Dorgu’s latest showing. The manager has now reportedly instructed the club’s recruitment staff to prioritise finding a replacement for the position before the new Premier League season begins.
A performance that confirmed doubts
Those present at the fixture described Dorgu as one of the weaker links in an otherwise encouraging United display. While the team secured a narrow win, the young defender struggled to impose himself on the left flank. His distribution was frequently wayward, several attempted progressive passes failed to find their target, and moments when he was required to retain possession under pressure ended with turnovers.
Carrick is said to have been particularly frustrated by the lack of improvement in areas that had already been flagged during earlier pre-season sessions. Sources claim the head coach had given Dorgu opportunities to prove himself in training and closed-door matches, but the Atletico Madrid game represented a final chance to change the manager’s mind. Instead, the performance is understood to have cemented Carrick’s view that the player is not ready for a regular role in a side aiming to challenge at the top of the Premier League and in the Champions League.
The criticism of Dorgu’s shooting and ball retention has also raised questions about his versatility. Originally signed with the expectation that he could contribute both defensively and in attacking transitions, the Dane has so far failed to convince Carrick that he possesses the technical security required at this level. In a system that values controlled possession and precise distribution from wide areas, those shortcomings have become increasingly difficult to overlook.
Background on Dorgu’s United career
Patrick Dorgu arrived at Manchester United with significant promise. The Denmark international was viewed as a modern, athletic full-back or wing-back capable of providing width, crossing ability and defensive recovery speed. There were periods last season when he showed encouraging flashes, particularly in certain cup ties and when given extended runs in the side.
However, consistency has remained an issue. Under previous regimes and during Carrick’s interim spell, Dorgu’s performances fluctuated. While his athleticism and willingness to push forward were never in doubt, technical limitations in possession and decision-making under pressure frequently undermined his overall contribution. Carrick is understood to have monitored the player closely during the early weeks of pre-season in the hope that focused coaching could accelerate his development.
That hope appears to have faded after the Atletico Madrid match. The manager’s reported comments suggest he no longer believes Dorgu can reach the required standard in time for the demands of the new campaign. In a squad that already faces questions in several areas, Carrick is unwilling to carry a player he does not trust to start matches of consequence.
Board instructed to find a replacement
Carrick’s message to the hierarchy has been clear. Sources indicate that the head coach has formally requested that the club accelerate efforts to sign a new left-sided defender or wing-back. The preference is understood to be for a more experienced, technically secure option who can offer reliability in possession while still providing the attacking threat that modern full-backs are expected to deliver.
The timing is significant. With the transfer window still open and pre-season continuing, United have the opportunity to address the position before competitive fixtures begin. Any departure for Dorgu, whether permanent or on loan, would free up wages and a squad place. At the same time, the club must balance the financial implications of moving on a relatively recent signing against the footballing need identified by the manager.
Internally, the situation is being treated as a priority. Carrick’s authority has grown since he was confirmed as permanent head coach, and his assessments of individual players carry considerable weight. Previous decisions to move players on or demote them from the starting picture have generally been supported by the board when backed by clear footballing reasoning.
Wider squad implications
Dorgu’s potential exit would open the door for other options on the left side of defence. Luke Shaw remains at the club, though fitness concerns have limited his availability in recent seasons. Academy prospects and other squad members may also be given further opportunities to stake a claim during the remaining friendlies. However, Carrick is said to prefer a more definitive solution rather than relying solely on existing resources.
The criticism of Dorgu also fits a broader pattern under the current regime. Carrick has shown a willingness to make difficult decisions about players who fail to meet his standards, even when those players still have years remaining on their contracts. The reported comments about Ugarte, Zirkzee and Mount earlier in the summer, whether fully accurate or not, pointed to a similar ruthlessness. Dorgu now appears to have joined the list of players whose futures are under active review.
For the player himself, the coming days will be crucial. A strong response in training or in the next pre-season fixture could theoretically soften Carrick’s stance, though sources suggest the manager’s mind is largely made up. Dorgu retains the backing of some within the dressing room who rate his attitude and physical attributes, yet the technical criticisms from the head coach are difficult to ignore.
What happens next
United’s recruitment team is already understood to be assessing potential targets who could fill the left-sided role. Any new signing would need to fit Carrick’s tactical requirements: solid defensively, progressive in possession, and capable of contributing in the final third without sacrificing security. The market for such players is competitive, particularly at this stage of the window, but the club’s determination to act has been heightened by the manager’s latest feedback.
The 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid will be remembered as a useful exercise in pre-season preparation. For Patrick Dorgu, however, it may mark the moment his first-team future at Manchester United effectively ended. Michael Carrick’s reported verdict was blunt: the player’s passing has not improved, his shooting remains poor, and his ability to retain the ball under pressure falls short of the standard required.
As the club turns its attention to the final phase of the transfer window, finding a suitable replacement for Dorgu has become an urgent item on the agenda. For a manager determined to build a squad capable of competing for major honours, sentiment towards underperforming individuals is in short supply. The next few weeks will reveal whether United can complete the move Carrick is understood to want before the new season begins.
