Patrick Dorgu Injury Hands Mauricio Pochettino an Early Manchester United Setback

Mauricio Pochettino has not even taken his first Manchester United training session and there is already a problem to manage. Patrick Dorgu, back only recently from a hamstring injury, has been sent home from international duty after failing to prove his fitness.

That matters because United do not have the luxury of easing everyone along slowly. Pochettino walks in next Wednesday with work to do, and one of the few recent bright moments involved Dorgu. Against Aston Villa, he came off the bench, set up Joshua Zirkzee’s late goal and then watched United concede a stoppage-time equaliser in a chaotic 4-4 draw. It was energetic, useful and, clearly, premature to assume he was fully back.

Patrick Dorgu fitness remains fragile

Denmark head coach Brian Riemer made the situation plain enough. “Dorgu arrived and trained with the rest of the national team on Wednesday.

“He’s still on his way back. The fact that he got those minutes against Aston Villa and did a fantastic job should be taken with a grain of salt.”

He added: “There are still some lingering issues with the major muscle injury he suffered. We need to make sure it doesn’t flare up again. We’re optimistic, and we also believe things will go well.”

And the key line was this: “But he’s a player we need to be careful with. As for what that means in terms of matches and playing time, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Manchester United forced into caution

There is no ambiguity now. Denmark confirmed Dorgu would not be fit in time and sent him back for further rehabilitation. Team doctor Morten Boesen said: “We have carried out a series of tests on Dorgu, and he has not performed well enough to be ready to play in the two matches. He needs further recovery time after his injury, so we are sending him home for additional rehabilitation.”

That leaves Manchester United waiting on assessment results just as Pochettino starts work. Hamstring issues are awkward enough when managed well, worse when a player is rushed by necessity or optimism.

Liverpool test looms for Pochettino

Pochettino is due to lead first-team training on Wednesday, November 18. His first match comes quickly, away to Liverpool at Anfield on November 22. Not ideal preparation, but then very little at Manchester United tends to be ideal.