Patrick Dorgu returns to Man Utd after tests following Denmark call-up

Patrick Dorgu has been sent back to Manchester United to continue recovery from injury.

In Manchester United’s last match before the November international break, Patrick Dorgu returned from injury as a substitute, only to score a goal and register an assist. There was not much more he could have done, but it was enough to secure a 4-4 draw against Aston Villa.

Michael Carrick would have been happy to see Dorgu return, but the head coach was sacked four days later. Mauricio Pochettino replaced him, but he will manage two more USMNT matches before arriving in Manchester.

After returning as a substitute, Dorgu received a late call-up to the Denmark squad. National team manager Brian Reimer urged caution with the winger’s recovery when he addressed the media earlier this week.

Patrick Dorgu pulls out of Denmark squad

Dorgu played about 25 minutes of football on his return from injury. That is why his Denmark call-up raised eyebrows, but it doesn’t sound like United had any issues with him linking up with his national team.

That decision has quickly backfired because Dorgu has been sent back to United to recover from his injury. The decision was made after a series of tests.

Morten Boesen, the national team doctor, told the Denmark national team’s X account the following: “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.”

“Vi har foretaget en række test af Dorgu, som han ikke har klaret på et godt nok niveau til, at han er klar til at spille de to kampe. Han har brug for yderligere recovery efter sin skade, og vi sender ham derfor hjem til yderligere genoptræning.”

– Morten Boesen, landsholdslæge

— Fodboldlandsholdene 🇩🇰 (@dbulandshold)

November 13, 2026

Manchester is the best place for Dorgu to recover from injury, but questions will be asked over why he was rushed back into the Denmark squad after missing so much football at United.

Ultimately, Denmark have made the right decision. There’s no point risking further injury setbacks when the objective – for every party involved – should be to get Dorgu available for selection consistently. Injuries haven’t been kind to the 22-year-old since he signed for United from Lecce in February 2025.