Denmark national team boss Brian Riemer has opened up on this possible return of Manchester United’s Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu amid his hamstring injury.
Since the arrival of Michael Carrick, Manchester United have produced an outstanding run of results. The Reds recorded eye-catching victories over Arsenal and Manchester City, while also grinding out important wins against Fulham and Everton.
Now fourth in the Premier League table, United have returned to a more traditional 4-2-3-1 formation, a tactical tweak that has revitalised Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu.
The Danish wing-back has been pushed higher up the pitch in recent weeks, featuring more as a natural winger. The adjustment quickly paid off, as Dorgu found the net in back-to-back games, including a superb strike against the league-leading Arsenal.
However, the promising youngster then sustained a hamstring injury, sidelining him for a significant spell and halting his growing momentum.
Denmark boss speaks on Dorgu’s return
Dorgu is now around a month into his rehabilitation, with reports suggesting mid-April as the target return date, possibly for the trip to Stamford Bridge in the third week of that month.
However, Denmark national team manager Brian Riemer, who is known to be a big fan of Dorgu’s talent, has hinted that, despite the April return date, he still holds out the chance that the 21-year-old could return to his squad by the end of March, as long as Dorgu himself believes it, too.
“Right now, he is reported injured by Manchester United, and he is until April,” Riemer recently said, as relayed by Tipsbladet.
“I know that Patrick has a dream of being ready. I think his biggest motivation right now, when he is running around in that training room, is that he wants to battle everyone and then be ready for that match. I’ll only help him keep that dream alive as long as the opportunity exists.”
Dorgu’s future impacts United transfer plans
Before his emergence as a possible left-wing option and then injury at United, many were assessing where Dorgu’s best position at the club could be following Rúben Amorim’s sacking. Under interim boss Darren Fletcher, he played a game at left-back and excelled despite a 2-1 FA Cup loss against Brighton.
According to various reports, left-wing is one position United are considering signing a new player this summer to complete alongside Matheus Cunha, with left-back also a possible position that could see a new transfer amid concerns over Luke Shaw’s reliability.
With Dorgu having shown he can play both in attack and at full-back, where United see his long-term position, their transfer plans will be affected.
If the club feel the Dane can be a genuine option on the left wing, then signing another player in that position could become futile, whereas if they feel his best chance of success is at left-back, then another full-back is not needed.
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