Dorgu returns to training as injury-hit United host Roma in must-win Champions League clash

Patrick Dorgu has returned to Manchester United’s training group ahead of Tuesday night’s Champions League league-phase fixture against Roma at Old Trafford, giving caretaker head coach Michael Carrick a timely lift ahead of a game United can ill afford to lose.

The Danish left-back has been sidelined since the September international break after sustaining a hamstring injury on duty with Denmark. His return to the 24-man training squad is a rare piece of positive news for Carrick, though Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw were both absent from the session as they continue their respective recoveries.

United arrive at this fixture in desperate form. Carrick has overseen just two wins in 13 games since taking charge, and Saturday’s defeat to Chelsea extended the club’s winless run to nine matches — their third consecutive loss. Back-to-back Champions League defeats to Atlético Madrid and Como have left United sweating on their top-24 standing, the minimum required to secure at least a play-off berth in February.

Roma’s visit to Old Trafford is the first since United’s 6-2 Europa League victory in April 2021, a night when Carrick was part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching staff. The occasion carries a personal thread for the current head coach: he scored twice in a 7-1 Champions League quarter-final demolition of the same opponents in April 2007.

Beyond Tuesday, United’s remaining league-phase schedule includes home games against RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, plus away fixtures at Sporting CP and Villarreal — a run that underlines how little margin for error remains.

Manchester United training squad vs Roma

Goalkeepers: Lammens, Darlow, Heaton, Mee

Defenders: Dalot, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Martinez, Heaven, Amass, Dorgu

Midfielders: Baleba, Santos, Mainoo, Tielemans, Mount, Fernandes

Forwards: Cunha, Amad, Lacey, Zirkzee, Mbeumo