Who replaces Patrick Dorgu? Carrick’s biggest tactical test yet against Fulham

Photo: Manchester United

The announcement that Patrick Dorgu could be out for the next 10 weeks could not have come at a more awkward time for Michael Carrick's Manchester United.

Just as the Dane was beginning to make the left wing his own, just as United were finding rhythm and balance in the final third, Carrick is forced into problem-solving mode. And couple with this coming against Fulham, a game United are expected to win, this is not a simple decision.

Sunday's clash against Fulham at Old Trafford will be a very different test from the recent encounters against Manchester City and Arsenal. On Sunday, United will be expected to dominate possession, spend long periods in the final third, and break down a compact defensive structure, all things that United have massively struggled to do in recent months.

Without Dorgu's pace and physicality, the left wing will most likely not serve as an outlet for transitions this time around.

Realistically, Carrick has four possible alternatives to slot in on the left: Mason Mount, Matheus Cunha, Amad and Bryan Mbeumo.

This week will serve as Carrick's true test.

Mason Mount - control and high press

If Carrick wants to go for territorial domination, recycling possession and control, then Mount feels like the most logical choice.

While Mount will not be able to stretch the pitch in the same way Dorgu does, he will help knit play together, often drifting inside to allow United to overload central areas, combining with Bruno Fernandes in the process.

Another quality that Mount is very good at is his high press. Mount is one of United's most efficient pressing triggers and is an absolute workhorse.

When faced with a deep block, Mount can force errors, and his movement without the ball is intelligent, so United can possibly be more effective in tight spaces.

However, the downside is obvious, as United will lose the directness that Dorgu offers. There will not be the same natural one-on-one threat on that side. United's attacks down the left will become more patient and methodical.

Opting for Mount would mean that Carrick is prioritising control rather then direct chaos.

Matheus Cunha - chaos and incisiveness

Cunha is the most direct and possibly forward-facing player that United have when Dorgu is out.

The Brazilian thrives in tight spaces, likes to receive balls in between the lines, and is also not afraid to attempt the unexpected. When deployed on the left, just like he was against Arsenal, he would not hug the touchline, but will instead drift inside and look to attack his markers.

Photo: Manchester United

If Cunha does start on the left against Fulham, then he could be the one player, together with Fernandes, that is capable of breaking patterns. One instinctive dribble or a disguised pass can completely unlock a low block.

However, Cunha also brings an element of risk to the team, as his decision-making can be rather inconsistent, and in a match where United need to be patient, this can possibly lead to him trying to force certain situations. He could also be susceptible to not tracking back as much as Dorgu does, possibly leaving Luke Shaw more open to defending on his own.

Cunha is a player in form and he could be the player to terrorise Fulham, but picking his volatile and maverick-like style also comes with its risks.

Amad - composure and relentlessness

Amad has been an outstanding option for United down the right, particularly because he offers a sense of precision and composure on the ball.

His touch and balance allow United to build attacks cleanly. While moving him to the left may lead to him having to change his passing angles, he will still be very efficient on the ball. He will naturally want to open himself up and go down the wing, possibly also looking for cutbacks to other players.

Amad may be the most 'Dorgu-like' option in terms of tactical balance. He will provide the width when needed, but also creativity in central areas. The Ivorian is also very good against low blocks, not wasting possession, and constantly looks to make the right pass. Additionally, given Amad's defensive discipline having played at wing-back for most of the season, he will be more inclined to track back and support Shaw when needed.

The question is whether United end up losing too much on the right by moving him to the left. Amad has been one of United's most reliable performers. Shifting him is a gamble, but it could also spread quality across both sides.

Bryan Mbeumo - goals and penetration

Mbeumo is the direct goalscoring option that Carrick has available.

The Cameroonian forward has been excellent this season, and under Carrick, he has done very well as a lone striker, linking up very well with Fernandes who has played right behind him. Mbeumo has already racked up nine goals so far this season, and two of them have come against City and Arsenal in Carrick's short spell as head coach.

Mbeumo is capable of playing on the left however, possibly attacking the back post and driving diagonally into the box, pinning Fulham's right-back deep.

He is the most dangerous option that United have, and he is aggressive, and a direct attacking presence.

The issue is that Mbeumo has been so good as a striker in the past two games, and shifting him away from that position may actually hold United back. Yet, at the same time, the spaces that Mbeumo thrived on against City and Arsenal - those quick counters - will become more difficult to create given how United will most probably have more of the ball.

So what next?

Dorgu had become a tactical solution and a bit of a wildcard for Carrick, offering energy, width, threat, and also defensive reliability. His absence exposes how United are still fragile in terms of finding the right attacking balance.

Against Fulham, United will not be judged in the same way that they were against City and Arsenal. They will need to be creative and patient. They will need to turn dominant play into goals.

This will be a particularly crucial game for Carrick at United, as it will determine how his team will look like when they try to control a game, rather than hit teams quick on the counter.