Dorgu trains alone ahead of Man United's pre-season return as Carrick plots 2026-27 title push

Patrick Dorgu is already putting in the hard yards ahead of Manchester United’s pre-season, with footage circulating on social media showing the Danish wing-back training with a personal trainer before the squad’s official return to Carrington on Thursday.

Dressed in a retro France 1998 World Cup shirt, the 21-year-old was filmed working on his movement, agility and dribbling — a sign of intent from a player who endured a stop-start first season at Old Trafford.

Dorgu showed flashes of his quality last campaign, scoring in Michael Carrick’s first match as interim manager against Manchester City and later producing United’s Goal of the Season — a 30-yard volley in a league win at Arsenal. His momentum was then checked by a hamstring injury that kept him out for a significant stretch of the run-in, though he returned for the final fixture of the season.

The wider squad will begin reporting back to Carrington from Thursday for fitness assessments and early training sessions. Carrick, who was handed a two-year permanent contract after steering United to third in the Premier League and back into the Champions League, will use the coming weeks to rebuild fitness levels, sharpen his tactical system and integrate any new arrivals.

However, the opening days of pre-season will be missing several key figures. Kobbie Mainoo, Lisandro Martinez and captain Bruno Fernandes are all still involved at the expanded FIFA World Cup in North America, which concludes on July 19 — a week later than the traditional schedule. Dorgu, whose Denmark side did not qualify for the tournament, is among those available from the outset.

United’s Premier League campaign opens away to Hull City on August 22, giving Carrick and his backroom staff a tight window to have the full squad match-ready.