Wes Brown didn’t hold back. When asked where Patrick Dorgu fits best at Manchester United, the club legend essentially said: don’t waste him on defense.
Speaking exclusively to The Peoples Person, Brown broke down the 21-year-old Dane’s game and made it clear he sees Dorgu as more of a forward than a fullback. Especially now that Michael Carrick has shifted to a 4-2-3-1, Dorgu’s natural role isn’t obvious. But Brown thinks he knows where it should be.
“He’s not a fullback,” Brown said flatly. “He brings out the best of himself when he’s in an attacking area on that left-hand side, whether it’s a wing or coming inside.”
That tracks. Dorgu was originally brought in as a wing-back for Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3, but systems change. Carrick’s setup doesn’t have that same spot, so Dorgu has been floating. Brown thinks that’s fine — just don’t push him back.
What kind of attacker is Dorgu?
Brown didn’t just say Dorgu should play forward. He got specific. The treble winner pointed out that Dorgu has “raw ability” and a surprising weapon: his shooting. “I didn’t know this for a long time — but he can shoot and he can shoot very well.”
That’s not something you expect from a guy who mostly played as a wing-back. But Brown sees it. He also sees unreal stamina. “He’s probably got the best energy up there with Bruno in the squad, actually. Quick, physically strong, and like I just said, he can score goals as well.”
Brown’s ideal role for Dorgu isn’t exactly a winger in the Matheus Cunha mold. He’s thinking more inside, where Dorgu can drive at goal, play one-twos, and let those shots rip. “If you put him on the wing and just ask him to beat a man, you stifle his abilities around the box and scoring and hitting really long shots.”
It’s an interesting thought. Carrick would have to tweak his shape a bit to accommodate that kind of inside-left runner. But Brown says it’s worth it — it’s another option. And with a squad that’s still finding its identity, flexibility isn’t a bad thing.
Dorgu’s summer and what’s next
Denmark didn’t qualify for the World Cup, so Dorgu is sitting out the tournament. That’s probably a silver lining for United. He gets a full summer off, no travel, no extra minutes on his legs. By the time the 2026/27 season kicks off, he should be fresh and ready to make a real push for regular minutes.
Brown is confident Dorgu sticks around. “He’s definitely here to stay,” he said. “When he came back from injury, he really showed everybody what he can do — because I don’t think everybody knew that.”
Now it’s on Carrick to figure out where he fits. But if Brown is right, the answer is simple: get him higher up the pitch and let him cook.
Feature image via Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
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