The games Patrick Dorgu will miss after Ipswich red card
- Patrick Dorgu was sent off during Man Utd's 3-2 win over Ipswich
- Denmark international dismissed after nasty tackle on Omari Hutchinson
- Winter signing will be suspended for several matches
Manchester United were forced to do things the hard way on Wednesday evening as they beat struggling Ipswich Town 3-2 in the Premier League.
That was mainly down to Patrick Dorgu, the winter signing serving up a horror performance on his first league start at Old Trafford. A dismal mix-up with goalkeeper Andre Onana saw the £29.2m defender gift Jaden Philogene the opening goal of the game, before his red card just before the half-time whistle forced the Red Devils to play the remainder of the match with ten men.
Entering half-time all square after some more questionable defending, United were fortunate that Dorgu's dismissal didn't see them drop even more points at Old Trafford. Harry Maguire's header just after the restart offered them the lead, which they held until the final whistle.
Victory offered Ruben Amorim and his players some much-needed respite but the Portuguese coach will now be without Dorgu for several games.
Man Utd matches Patrick Dorgu will miss through suspension
Dorgu's lunge on Omari Hutchinson was rightly punished with a red card after VAR intervention and the Denmark international will now serve a three-match domestic suspension.
Dorgu's ban carries over to the FA Cup, meaning the 20-year-old will be absent for this Sunday's duel with Fulham at Old Trafford in the fifth round. However, the suspension is not applicable in Europe, with the youngster available for both legs of the Europa League last 16 tie against Real Sociedad.
Following their first leg with the Basque outfit next Thursday, the Red Devils return to Premier League action several days later at home to Arsenal. Dorgu will be absent for the visit of the misfiring Gunners, who have fallen well behind in the title race after disappointing results against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.
The second leg against Real Sociedad follows before United's fourth match against Leicester City this season. The Red Devils have won the three previous duels this term and will be aiming to pile more misery on former employee Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Date | Competition | Fixture |
|---|---|---|
Sunday 2 March | FA Cup | Fulham (H) |
Sunday 9 March | Premier League | Arsenal (H) |
Sunday 16 March | Premier League | Leicester (A) |
Who can replace Patrick Dorgu for Man Utd?
United are not blessed with options in the wide midfield/wing-back positions, with Tyrell Malacia's loan exit in the winter window and Luke Shaw's injury limiting Amorim's possibilities. Amad Diallo has also functioned in the role this term, but will spend the remainder of the campaign in the treatment room.
Dorgu has played on both the right and left-hand side since signing for United but has more readily featured on the latter. Noussair Mazraoui is the obvious candidate to replace him over the next few matches, with the versatile Moroccan having been used to plug gaps this term.
Diogo Dalot could shift to the left flank in the short-term, too, while wide forward Alejandro Garnacho would be a riskier selection.
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