According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu has returned to Manchester for assessment following an injury sustained while playing for the Danish national team, potentially worsening the club's shortage of left-back options.

Over the weekend, Dorgu was substituted due to injury after playing approximately 30 minutes in Denmark's match against Wales. Previously, in January, Dorgu suffered a hamstring injury that sidelined him for three months. Another extended absence would pose a serious challenge for manager Erik ten Hag, who is acutely aware that Luke Shaw cannot play twice every week.

Luke Shaw returned to action in the match against Fulham after missing three games before the international break. Given the fixture congestion that will resume when domestic competitions return, Manchester United will need to rotate him carefully. Since Dorgu has previously covered for Shaw during his absences, if Dorgu is also unavailable for any period, Erik ten Hag will be left with only Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, or Harry Amass as backup options.

Noussair Mazraoui may also be unavailable as a backup option. He left the field in the 69th minute of Morocco's match against Lesotho on Tuesday, signaling he needed medical attention, and was subsequently substituted. However, this substitution may have simply been precautionary.

If Dorgu is sidelined for multiple matches, it will intensify criticism of Manchester United's failure to sign another left-back during the summer transfer window. Manchester United had hoped to acquire a left-back after strengthening midfield, but ultimately failed to complete a deal, despite the club knowing that Luke Shaw could not be deployed in the starting lineup for every match in a season featuring over 60 games.

Having missed out on Alvaro Fernandez, Manchester United should have pursued a more affordable left-back option. While this player might not have been strong enough to be first-choice, he should have been capable of filling a rotational role. Given that Luke Shaw suffered an injury just three weeks into the season and Dorgu now faces the potential threat of a second hamstring injury in nine months, it is hardly surprising that the team is struggling at left-back.

Manchester United chose not to pursue further deals, as the club believed there were no suitable candidates on the market. Racing's left-back Jorge Salinas had a release clause of 15 million pounds, but Manchester United apparently was not impressed by him. The club's data department and scouting network should have provided alternative suitable options, as there must have been left-backs available on the market at reasonable transfer fees.

Manchester United's management took a gamble by banking on Luke Shaw and Dorgu remaining healthy, but Shaw's injury history is well documented, and Dorgu now faces the potential prospect of being unavailable due to a second hamstring injury.

Wilcox and other members of the recruitment team should feel pressure over this situation. Erik ten Hag has certainly made some errors this season, but he has undoubtedly not received sufficient support from the club during this summer's transfer window.

Переведено ИИ.

Сайт AF теперь доступен! Читайте полные новости, комментарии, детали матчей и статистику на компьютере. Посетите: www.allfootballapp.com