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Michael Carrick has confirmed the answer to a question he's been avoiding at Manchester United

· Steven Railston · 2026-08-13T04:22:55+00:00 · nguồn gốc

Michael Carrick has confirmed the answer to a question he's been avoiding at Manchester United Man Utd beat Leeds on penalties after a 1-1 draw in their penultimate pre-season friendly of the summer at a sold-out Croke Park. Does Michael Carrick view Patrick Dorgu as a winger or a defender? Carrick was asked that question last season. He responded by saying that he did not want to "pigeonhole" Dorgu, but pre-season has confirmed the answer that he'd been looking to avoid giving. Dorgu started on the left wing against Leeds at Croke Park on Wednesday, extending his run of appearances as an attacking player under Carrick, so the answer is that he is seen as a forward. United's club website has included Dorgu in the 'defenders' section when travelling squads have been confirmed for pre-season games, and he has been spotted training with the defensive unit, which has slightly muddied the water, but the matchdays have offered conclusive evidence. Dorgu missed a chunk of the second half of last season due to an injury, but he exclusively played on the wing under Carrick in the Premier League when available for selection. Carrick has continued to play Dorgu as an attacker this summer, which feels like confirmation of his permanent position, although the irony is that he looked more like a left-back against Leeds in Dublin. Bryan Mbeumo was brilliant for Joshua Zirkzee's opening goal, almost running the length of Leeds' half, but it was Dorgu who unleashed Mbeumo down the wing after demonstrating composure at the back. Following a Leeds attack, Dorgu found himself in the position a left-back would be in. Despite being pressured by three white shirts, he managed to get his head up and find Mbeumo, who was hugging the byline. Dorgu got himself into promising attacking positions in the first half, using his athleticism to move away from Jayden Bogle, but his final ball wasn't up to scratch, with each cross being easily gathered or cleared. The 21-year-old needs to improve his final ball to become a more effective winger, so as things stand, Marcus Rashford will feel confident of being ahead of him in the pecking order on the left this season, assuming he is still at United when the transfer window shuts. Dorgu is a diligent operator though. He put in the hard yards after training sessions at Carrington last season, doing extras with coaches to improve, and it's that kind of attitude that will push him to become better as a winger. Not every player is so committed to improving their craft. The Manchester Evening News spoke to Dorgu on the final day of last season following the Brighton win - when he started as a winger and scored - and he was asked about which position he prefers to play. "I need to ask the coach. I don't know," he said. "I still have a lot to learn in that role. I lost the ball a few times in the first half today, so I still need to improve. But obviously I'm further forward to the goal, and I can get into positions for the opportunity. "I still need to work on my finishing. I could have scored a couple more today, but yes, I enjoy playing there, and I can use my speed and my physique a lot in those areas as well." If Dorgu hasn't had the conversation about which role his long-term future lies in with Carrick, he should already know where the United boss sees him fitting, given that he has continued to play as an attacker. Carrick's selection of Dorgu throughout this summer has confirmed which position he thinks suits him best.