Patrick Dorgu ended the Premier League season on a high note, scoring in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion. It was his fourth goal of the campaign, and it extended a remarkable streak: he’s now found the net in each of his last three competitive starts. But according to people close to the Denmark international, United might be using him in the wrong spot entirely.
Dorgu was signed from Lecce last year with the intention of plugging him into a full-back role. Under Ruben Amorim, that meant left-wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 formation. The results were mixed. Amorim himself publicly noted that Dorgu appeared anxious on the ball — a rare admission from a manager that hinted at a confidence issue. The switch came when interim boss Michael Carrick slid Dorgu further up the left flank, and the move paid off immediately. Dorgu scored in Carrick’s first match in charge — a win over Manchester City — and followed it up with a stunning strike against Arsenal before an injury interrupted his momentum.
By season’s end, Dorgu had four goals and four assists in all competitions. Not a bad return for a player who spent a month on the sidelines. But here’s where it gets interesting: according to the Manchester Evening News’ Tyrone Marshall, some of Dorgu’s confidants believe his best position is not on the left at all. They see him as a right-winger.
“The intriguing aspect here is that some people close to Dorgu actually believe the right-wing is his best position and where he may eventually be at his best,” Marshall wrote. “That is a fascinating prospect given his displays on the left for United.”
Those displays have been undeniably effective, but the belief within his camp is that Dorgu’s natural cutting angle and finishing ability would shine brighter from the right side. At Lecce, he logged 24 appearances at left-back, 14 on the left flank, 11 as a right-winger, and three at right-back — so he’s no stranger to versatility.
Meanwhile, United’s own plans may push Dorgu in a different direction entirely. The club is reportedly prioritizing reinforcements on the left side of the pitch, both in attack and defense. Marshall suggests that if a new left-winger arrives, Dorgu could slide back into a left-back role, competing with Luke Shaw for minutes. That would mark a return to the position he played most frequently in Serie A, but it would also mean limiting the attacking freedom he’s shown under Carrick.
For now, Dorgu is preparing for the 2026/27 season with a chance to make history: he’s scored in each of his last three competitive starts, and a fourth consecutive goal would set a personal milestone. Whether he’s doing it from the left, the right, or further back remains the open question — one that United’s summer transfer activity will likely answer.
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