Dorgu's defensive struggles leave Carrick without a left-back answer despite United's 4-0 rout of Sabah

Patrick Dorgu’s Champions League debut at left-back for Manchester United ended in a 4-0 win over Sabah on Thursday, but the performance offered interim boss Michael Carrick more questions than answers about the Denmark international’s suitability in that position.

Dorgu, who joined from Lecce in the winter window and had previously operated as a wing-back under Ruben Amorim, was handed the role in the absence of Luke Shaw, who was left out as a precaution after picking up cramp in his previous outing. Carrick confirmed the decision was straightforward risk management: “He came off the other day with a little bit of cramp, so we didn’t want to take any risks really. We tried to manage him, but we’ll see how he is after this one.”

The 21-year-old produced the game’s standout individual moment when his beautifully weighted first-time cross set up Cunha’s opening goal, a contribution that underlined his attacking instincts. But Sabah forward Kaheem Parris repeatedly exposed him in the opening 20 minutes, skipping past him on the wing on several occasions. Dorgu also misjudged a floated ball on the halfway line, attempting to contest a header he was unlikely to win, further evidence that his defensive positioning remains a work in progress.

Carrick watched those rocky moments without visible reaction from the touchline, though the fact that Dorgu’s best contribution came in and around the opposition’s penalty area will not have been lost on him. The experiment suggested Dorgu can provide emergency cover at left-back, but also that United could be exposed down that flank if Shaw suffers a significant absence.

Shaw’s injury record makes that a genuine concern. The 31-year-old became only the fifth United player to start every Premier League game last season — yet the club played their fewest league fixtures in 115 years, limiting the physical demands on him. United did not sign a specialist left-back in the summer window despite knowing Shaw cannot sustain two games per week, and Carrick alluded to frustration over the club’s financial constraints when the window closed, saying he would try to get “the most out of” the squad available.

Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot are both capable of filling in on the left, but Carrick’s decision to trial Dorgu first was logical given his experience in a left-sided role under Amorim. Thursday’s result suggests the position remains a vulnerability United may yet be forced to address.