Man Utd Star's Baffling Request to Michael Carrick Backfires Spectacularly

Manchester United's adaptable Patrick Dorgu has confessed that he would "prefer to have one set position" to make things "easier" for himself. However, such a mindset could actually make consistent playing time harder to secure.

Dorgu's role-hopping between left wingback, left back, and left wing stems from circumstance. The Danish international was brought in by Ruben Amorim to fit his beloved 3-4-2-1 formation in February 2025. Within a year, the stubborn Portuguese tactician had been dismissed.

Michael Carrick stepped in and promptly abandoned the back-three setup that had suited so few squad members (Dorgu being a notable exception). Initially, the new manager deployed the attacking left-footed player as a conventional, wide-hugging left winger, fielding him in a front three against Manchester City and Arsenal. Dorgu shone brightly, netting in both landmark wins to kick off Carrick's tenure.

However, a significant hamstring injury at the Emirates kept Dorgu out until May. This season, the 21-year-old has featured equally in defensive and attacking roles (three appearances each), establishing a pattern of versatility that he is eager to move away from.

"I'd prefer to have one set position," Dorgu told Danish outlet Tipsbladet while away on international duty. "It's easier to work from on the training field. But many players today can play multiple positions."

Dorgu's inclination appears to lean toward the defensive end: "I started my professional career as a left back, so that's the most natural position for me."

Yet, as Dorgu himself is well aware, he faces a steep climb to earn a starting spot in any of those available roles.

Dorgu's Wandering Man Utd Career

Data via Transfermarkt.

Dorgu Weighs Up His Battle With Three Teammates

Should Dorgu focus on the left back position, he will find himself in direct competition with Luke Shaw for minutes. Given that he would need to displace both Marcus Rashford and Matheus Cunha to claim the left wing spot, the defensive battle may actually be the more attainable one.

"There's fierce competition for spots among talented players," Dorgu acknowledged. "There's a left back who's been at United for 12 years. And then Rashford has just returned from Barcelona, where he performed well.

"We also have Cunha, who did well during the months I was injured. So there are three really good players who have performed well in the Premier League."

"It's a challenge," Dorgu conceded, "but competing against such good players is also what can make me a better soccer player. I can learn from them, and when I get the chance, I'll have to show the coach that he can count on me."

But why would Dorgu make this challenge even harder by restricting himself to a single position?

The Man Utd Cult Hero Dorgu Can Take Inspiration From

Manchester United's history is naturally filled with iconic names, but the club's dominance during the Premier League era under Sir Alex Ferguson was undeniably bolstered by those priceless squad players capable of filling any role. Phil Neville built his entire career on the ability to operate wherever the manager required.

"I realized early on that, to get forward in the game, I needed many strings to my bow," the former left back, right back, and central midfielder explained years after collecting six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and the Champions League.

"The England manager used to say to me, 'You need to nail down one position, you need to nail down one position. If you do that, you'll have a bigger, better, longer career,'" Neville recalled. "And I used to come away thinking, 'That is the biggest load of rubbish that I've ever heard in my life.'"

Dorgu would do well to take a page from Neville's book. The three players he identified as ahead of him in the squad hierarchy are far from guaranteed to remain fit throughout the entire season. Cunha suffered three separate injury layoffs last campaign, Shaw has already missed games this season, and Rashford hasn't endured a full Premier League season at Manchester United in years.

If Dorgu is to become an indispensable asset at Old Trafford, he may be better served by making himself available across multiple positions — right wing could offer another route to minutes, for instance — rather than limiting his own prospects.