Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is reportedly considering an important tactical adjustment involving Patrick Dorgu, with the young Danish international increasingly being used in a more attacking position during the club’s preparations for the new season.
Dorgu arrived at Old Trafford with a reputation for being an energetic and attack-minded wing-back. His ability to combine physical power, pace and attacking intent has always been one of the most noticeable aspects of his game.
However, Carrick appears to believe that the 21-year-old could offer Manchester United even more if he is given greater freedom to operate further forward.
Under Carrick’s preferred 4-2-3-1 system, Dorgu has reportedly been pushed higher up the left side of the attack.
Instead of spending most of his time protecting the defensive area and supporting the attack from deep, the youngster has been encouraged to play closer to the opposition penalty box.
The tactical change appears to have produced encouraging results. Dorgu has reportedly looked increasingly confident when operating in advanced areas, using his pace to attack defenders, making powerful runs into dangerous positions and applying pressure high up the pitch.
His performances during 2026 have reportedly strengthened the argument that he could eventually develop into a genuine attacking option for United.
Goals against Premier League opponents such as Manchester City and Arsenal have provided further evidence that the youngster possesses the ability to make an impact in the final third.
Carrick’s decision to continue experimenting with Dorgu in the attacking role during pre-season could therefore be more significant than a simple temporary change.
It may indicate that the United manager is exploring a long-term tactical plan designed to get the maximum possible contribution from one of the squad’s most versatile young players.
Dorgu’s direct style could make him particularly dangerous when positioned closer to the opposition goal. His acceleration allows him to attack space quickly, while his willingness to take defenders on could create opportunities for both himself and his teammates.
However, Manchester United are not expected to completely abandon his defensive abilities. One of Dorgu’s biggest strengths is his versatility, and that could become extremely valuable over the course of a demanding season.
The Danish youngster has the physical qualities required to operate at left-back or wing-back, while his stamina and ability to cover large areas of the pitch give Carrick multiple options when selecting his team.
That means Dorgu could potentially switch between defensive and attacking positions depending on the opponent, match situation or tactical requirements.
If United need greater defensive security, he could move deeper. If Carrick wants more attacking energy on the left flank, Dorgu could be deployed further forward.
This flexibility could prove particularly useful with Manchester United expected to compete across several competitions.
Injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion will inevitably force Carrick to rotate his squad, and having a player capable of performing effectively in multiple roles gives the manager greater freedom.
For Dorgu himself, the tactical experiment could represent an exciting opportunity to add another dimension to his game.
Rather than being viewed solely as a wing-back, he could gradually establish himself as a more complete player capable of influencing matches at both ends of the pitch.
There has been no official confirmation that Manchester United have permanently converted Dorgu into a winger, so the situation should still be regarded as an evolving tactical experiment.
Nevertheless, his recent performances appear to have encouraged Carrick to continue exploring the possibility.
If Dorgu can maintain his attacking form while retaining the defensive qualities that made him such an attractive signing, Manchester United could have another exciting weapon on the left side.
The coming weeks of pre-season should provide a clearer indication of Carrick’s plans, but one thing is already becoming evident: Patrick Dorgu’s versatility could make him an increasingly important part of Manchester United’s future under Michael Carrick.
