Manchester United will be without Luke Shaw for Sunday's derby clash, with interim boss Michael Carrick confirming the defender has failed to recover in time to be included in the matchday squad. The absence brings an end to Shaw's recent run of consecutive Premier League starts.
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Carrick downplayed the severity of the issue but admitted the 31-year-old fell just short of being fit enough to feature. "Close, very close, just not quite there," Carrick told Sky Sports. "It's very small but unfortunately not for today."
With Shaw sidelined, Carrick has turned to Patrick Dorgu to fill the left-back role, only the second time the youngster has been asked to operate in that position since completing a £25million move from Lecce during the January 2025 transfer window. The decision means Noussair Mazraoui, who could also have been deployed at left-back given his versatility across the backline, will not be used in that role for this particular fixture.
Carrick made clear that his trust in Dorgu was not diminished by the player's limited experience at left-back, pointing instead to his recent midweek performance as justification for the selection. "Pat's a good player, he's played there before," the United coach said. "Fully trust in Pat, he played very well in midweek. Slightly different game today but we fully trust him."
The United manager also stressed the importance of collective responsibility within the squad, suggesting that Dorgu would not be expected to carry the burden of an unfamiliar role alone. "It's always about your team-mates helping each other and we will look for that today," Carrick added.
Shaw's fitness has been a recurring theme throughout his time at Old Trafford, with the England international having battled a series of injury setbacks in recent seasons. His recent run in the starting XI had been viewed as a sign of returning consistency, making this latest setback a frustrating development both for the player and the coaching staff, even if Carrick insists the issue itself is relatively minor.
Dorgu's opportunity comes at a significant moment, with the Manchester derby representing one of the most high-profile fixtures on the club's calendar. The teenager's previous senior experience at left-back has been limited, but Carrick's public backing suggests the club see this as a chance for the youngster to continue his development under pressure rather than a gamble forced purely by necessity.
Mazraoui's omission from the left-back berth despite his tactical flexibility indicates that Carrick had a clear plan in mind heading into the derby, rather than simply filling the gap with the most convenient option. The Moroccan full-back remains part of the matchday squad and could still see minutes elsewhere depending on how the match unfolds.
As United look to navigate the derby without one of their senior defensive options, much of the pre-match narrative has centred on how Dorgu adapts to the responsibility handed to him. Carrick's comments suggest confidence rather than concern, framing the change as an opportunity rather than a weakness in the squad's defensive set-up.
With Shaw's return timeline not detailed beyond the assurance that the injury is not serious, attention now shifts to how United's makeshift left side of defence copes against a Manchester rival with the derby's result set to have significant implications for both sides' Premier League ambitions.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.