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Patrick Dorgu’s season has hit a frustrating bump. It had just started to feel as though he had become one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Manchester United initially thought it was cramp. Reports now suggest the hamstring injury the 21-year-old suffered in the away victory against Arsenal is more serious – it could rule him out for up to 10 weeks.

This matters because the Denmark international was not just making up the numebrs; he was providing United with energy, direct running, and a constant outlet on the left.

Michael Carrick faces a decision now: either replace Dorgu with a like-for-like option or change the shape and, therefore, alter the role of his replacement.

What Dorgu actually gave United

Dorgu’s value was not only in the final third, as he helped United move up the pitch more quickly.

When United were under pressure, he provided the legs to turn space into territory. Without him, United’s left side can easily become slow and predictable, especially if the tempo drops.

Carrick now has a choice between two very different solutions: Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount.

The case for Cunha

Cunha is a streetwise maverick who can be...