MANCHESTER UNITED have hinted Patrick Dorgu will be used at left-back after releasing their 25-man squad for the Premier League season.
The Red Devils used the transfer window to rebuild their midfield, with Carlos Baleba becoming the final senior arrival when he sealed a £70million move from Brighton.
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And, despite Lewis Hall wanting to join from Newcastle throughout the summer, United failed to bring in a fresh option at left-back before Tuesday’s deadline.
It means Luke Shaw is set to remain Old Trafford chief Michael Carrick’s first-choice selection.
But United appear to have made a controversial call in a bid to solve the problem position.
The Red Devils have listed Dorgu, 21, as a defender when announcing their 25-man squad for the Premier League campaign.
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The Dane featured in an advanced position when United got their season underway with a woeful defeat to newly-promoted Hull City.
And Dorgu was also used on the left flank when he replaced Marcus Rashford in last weekend’s comeback win over Ipswich Town.
But Carrick, 45, is now planning to take advantage of the former Lecce man’s versatility after failing to land fresh competition for Shaw.
The decision not to strengthen at left-back left United supporters baffled when Champions League qualification means there will be even more showdowns this term.
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Old Trafford recruitment chiefs left it too late to tempt Newcastle into selling top target Hall.
The Magpies had already flogged Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon for big money when United came calling.
Baleba’s fellow summer arrivals Karl Darlow, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans bagged places in the 25-man squad.
Rashford also made the cut after Barcelona chose not to trigger an option to sign him permanently at the end of his loan spell.
Manchester United’s 25-man squad in full
Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow, Tom Heaton, Senne Lammens, Dermot Mee
Defenders: Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Noussair Mazraoui, Luke Shaw
Midfielders: Carlos Baleba, Bruno Fernandes, Mason Mount, Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, Manuel Ugarte
Forwards: Amad Diallo, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Marcus Rashford, Benjamin Sesko, Joshua Zirkzee
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He is joined by Darlow, Tom Heaton, Dermot Mee, Harry Maguire, Shaw, Mason Mount and Amad Diallo as homegrown options.
Manuel Ugarte has also been included by Carrick despite undergoing knee surgery following a horror World Cup injury.