Man Utd: Michael Carrick explains left-back decision as Luke Shaw misses out on squad for Manchester derby

Patrick Dorgu will operate at left-back for a second time in Manchester United colours

Luke Shaw is not involved for Manchester United against Manchester City today, with Patrick Dorgu keeping his place at left-back.

Shaw was already a doubt ahead of the Manchester derby after missing United’s 4-0 Champions League win over Sabah on Thursday night with a knock sustained in the draw with Everton last weekend.

However, it has been confirmed that the 31-year-old has not recovered in time to make a swift return to the squad, meaning his run of consecutive Premier League starts is now over.

It is not yet known whether Shaw will be available for Man Utd’s Carabao Cup third round tie at home to Brighton next week, but he may have been rested anyway.

Discussing Shaw’s absence, Michael Carrick said the injury is not too serious and revealed how close he was to making the matchday squad.

In Shaw’s place, Dorgu is set to operate as a left-back for only the second time since his £25million transfer from Lecce in the 2025 winter transfer window.

The first of which came against Sabah three days ago when the Denmark international was named Player of the Match after setting up Matheus Cunha for the opening goal of the game.

Carrick did have the option of picking the versatile Noussair Mazraoui at left-back but insists he has full faith in Dorgu despite his relative inexperience in this position.

"Pat's a good player, he's played there before,” the United coach added. “Fully trust in Pat, he played very well in midweek.

“Slightly different game today but we fully trust him.

"It's always about your team-mates helping each other and we will look for that today.”