Manchester United face major tactical dilemma after Hull defeat, with Rashford emerging as the potential solution on the left

Manchester United’s disappointing Premier League opener against Hull City has sparked fresh debate over Patrick Dorgu’s role, with growing questions about whether deploying him further forward on the left is actually helping the team or preventing the young defender from playing in the position where he looks most effective.

Dorgu was given a more advanced role during United’s clash with the newly promoted side, but the experiment produced little reward as the Red Devils fell to a surprising 2-0 defeat. Despite controlling 72% of possession, United struggled to create clear chances, lacked penetration in the final third and rarely looked capable of breaking down a well-organised Hull defence.

The decision to use Dorgu as an attacking player is understandable given his physical attributes. The 21-year-old possesses impressive pace, strength and the ability to drive forward with the ball, qualities that can cause problems for defenders. However, playing as a conventional winger requires more than athleticism. His movement, final-third decision-making and consistency in creating opportunities are areas that still need development.

United had already experimented with Dorgu in an advanced position during pre-season, suggesting that the coaching staff were keen to assess whether he could take on greater attacking responsibility. However, his performance against Hull offered little evidence that the switch is currently producing the desired results.

The situation became even more interesting when Marcus Rashford was introduced in place of Dorgu. The returning forward brought a different attacking threat, using his pace and willingness to run behind the defence to give United more variety going forward. Although Rashford could not change the final outcome, his introduction highlighted the difference between the two profiles.

That naturally raises the question of whether Dorgu should be moved back into his more familiar left-back role while Rashford is given greater responsibility higher up the pitch.

From left-back, Dorgu arguably has more freedom to use his speed and power. Starting from deeper positions allows him to carry the ball forward, overlap and attack open space without being expected to perform all the duties associated with a traditional winger. His defensive responsibilities also become more natural to his game.

Michael Carrick now has an interesting selection decision to make, particularly with Luke Shaw also available as part of the defensive options. Dorgu’s struggles in the attacking role should not be taken as proof that he cannot eventually become an effective winger. At 21, he still has plenty of time to develop that side of his game. However, United are searching for immediate solutions, and the defeat to Hull exposed how badly the team needs greater attacking efficiency.

The problems were also much bigger than Dorgu’s individual position. United conceded both goals from set pieces and failed to turn their overwhelming share of possession into enough meaningful opportunities. That lack of end product ultimately proved costly.

Perhaps the simplest solution could be to return Dorgu to left-back, where his pace and physical strength can be used as attacking weapons from deeper areas, while allowing Rashford to operate in the more advanced role where his experience and directness can make a bigger impact.

One poor performance should not determine Dorgu’s long-term position, but the Hull defeat has certainly given Carrick plenty to consider. If Dorgu is restored to left-back and Rashford continues to offer a greater threat further forward, the combination could provide United with a more balanced and dangerous left side in the matches ahead.