Dorgu sidelined with hamstring injury, Aston Villa looking for loan deal

Manchester United defender Patrick Dorgu is expected to be sidelined for several weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during Sunday’s 3-2 Premier League victory over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The 21-year-old Denmark international scored United’s second goal with a powerful strike from the edge of the box but was forced off late in the match after pulling up while tracking back. 

Interim head coach Michael Carrick initially hoped the issue was cramp, but further assessment has indicated a more serious injury.

Sources close to the club say Dorgu is still undergoing evaluation, with no clear return date yet established. However, early indications suggest the problem will keep him out for a significant portion of the coming weeks.

Dorgu has been one of United’s standout performers in recent matches, thriving in an advanced left-sided role under Carrick.

Signed from Italian side Lecce 12 months ago as a wing-back, he has added goals to his game, also finding the net in the recent win over Manchester City.

Manchester United face a busy schedule ahead, with eight Premier League fixtures to play before the March international break. 

Dorgu is expected to be part of Denmark’s squad for World Cup play-offs during that period, though his availability will depend on his recovery.

In his absence, United may turn more regularly to Matheus Cunha, who has started the past two league matches on the bench. 

The Brazilian made a decisive impact against Arsenal, scoring the winning goal after coming on as a substitute.

Aston Villa have agreed a deal to re-sign midfielder Douglas Luiz on loan, with the Brazilian set to return to Villa Park before Monday’s transfer deadline. 

The 27-year-old is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Juventus but is expected to cut short his stay at the City Ground to rejoin his former club.

Luiz previously spent five seasons at Villa, making 204 appearances between 2019 and 2024, before joining Juventus for £42.5m last summer as Villa sought to address profit and sustainability rules. 

However, he struggled for regular game time in Italy, making just three Serie A starts, and joined Forest on loan in August 2025, where he has made 14 appearances this season.