Carrick’s job hangs by a thread as Dorgu returns for Roma clash

Patrick Dorgu has returned to Manchester United training ahead of the crucial Champions League clash against Roma, offering Michael Carrick a rare lifeline. According to the Mirror ^[1], the defender was passed fit after suffering a hamstring injury during the September international break with Denmark. His return provides a much-needed option at left-back, a position where right-footers Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui have been forced to play due to a severe lack of personnel.

The club has confirmed Carrick will remain in charge for the visit of Roma, despite his team suffering three successive defeats and going nine games without a win. The Independent reported ^[2] that Carrick is clinging to his job by a thread, with United hovering just above the relegation zone in the Premier League. This marks the first time in 40 years the club has endured such a long winless run, placing immense pressure on the manager to turn fortunes around before the international break.

Adding to the tension, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard criticised Lisandro Martinez’s conduct during Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea. Gerrard described the defender’s red card and penalty concession as “selfish” and driven by “ego” on The Overlap. Martinez, who is out of contract in the summer, was seen shaking his head as if he were the victim, according to Gerrard’s assessment. Gerrard also suggested Martinez could be attempting to engineer a January exit by causing problems, though this remains speculation.

United’s Champions League prospects are equally dire following consecutive losses to Atletico Madrid and Como. A top-24 finish is required to secure a play-off spot, with remaining fixtures against RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Sporting CP, and Villarreal. Carrick admitted after the Chelsea defeat that the team had “unravelled quickly,” despite playing one of their better halves of the season. He urged his squad to move forward and use the positives from the first half at Stamford Bridge as they prepare to host the unbeaten Roma side.