Patrick Dorgu was named Player of the Match after playing left back for Manchester United for the first time under manager Michael Carrick, as United beat FK Sabah 4-0 in the Champions League at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
The Danish full-back set up Matheus Cunha for United's opening goal with a cross to the near post, then played a central role in the move that led to Bruno Fernandes doubling the lead, before picking up a late booking ahead of Sunday's game against Manchester City.
United's opener came after Sabah broke forward on the counter with the score at 0-0, only for the ball to be won back in midfield. It was quickly worked out to Dorgu, who was high and wide up the pitch, and he picked out Cunha with a cross to the near post. Cunha turned and pointed at Dorgu in recognition of the assist as Old Trafford roared.
Dorgu also had a hand in United's second goal. Youri Tielemans, who was substituted at half-time, fed the ball to Dorgu near the halfway line, and he carried it forward before passing to Cunha. Dorgu's overlapping run forced Sabah's defence to hold back, opening a passing lane for Tielemans to receive the ball and spin into the box. Tielemans cut the ball back for Fernandes, who scored.
A left-back audition
Thursday's game was widely seen as an audition for Dorgu at left back, a position United's staff feel could become permanent for him. He had more touches in the penalty box, eight, and created more chances, three, than any other player on the pitch by half-time.
Dorgu joined United from the Italian club Lecce as a left back but made his debut at right wing-back. He was later pushed into a right-wing role by then-manager Ruben Amorim when United switched to a back four against Newcastle United on Boxing Day. Interim manager Darren Fletcher, who took charge between Amorim and Carrick, then used him as a left winger, and Carrick has mostly continued that approach.
Luke Shaw missed the Sabah game because of the after-effects of cramp sustained during United's win at Everton. United were unable to sign a left back over the summer, having failed to land Newcastle's Lewis Hall, and cannot expect Shaw to play twice a week.
Defensive lapses
Despite his attacking impact, Dorgu also showed the defensive shortcomings of a winger playing out of position. At one point in the first half he stayed forward as Sabah broke on the counter, appearing uninterested in tracking back.
Lisandro Martinez confronted him during a tense exchange after Dorgu was beaten by Sabah's Kaheem Parris. Before being substituted in the 70th minute, Dorgu was dispossessed again and cynically pulled back his man, earning a yellow card.
Sabah targeted Dorgu's side of the pitch far more than Noussair Mazraoui's opposite flank, and United's dominance in a one-sided contest allowed Carrick's coaching staff to let Dorgu push high up the pitch.
What comes next
Carrick said this week that Dorgu "can be like a new signing," and that, like any new arrival, he would need time to adapt. Thursday marked his first appearance at left back under Carrick and his first in the Champions League.
United face Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday, a tougher test that could come sooner than expected if Shaw is not fit to start. How Dorgu develops at left back is set to have a bearing on United's recruitment plans in January and next summer.
