Patrick Dorgu will not face Portugal or Norway with Denmark in the Nations League, with an official statement being shared by the team on Friday

Patrick Dorgu has returned to Manchester United after leaving international duty with Denmark. The versatile full-back had initially withdrawn from his country's upcoming Nations League encounters with Portugal and Norway owing to a hamstring injury.

While Brian Riemer confirmed that the 22-year-old had a change of heart and was on his way to linking up with his international teammates, Denmark have now announced that Dorgu has been sent straight back to Manchester, having failed a series of physical tests.

A statement shared on Friday afternoon read: "Dorgu ruled out of the squad. Patrick Dorgu has undergone a series of tests ahead of the matches, but unfortunately will not be fully fit in time."

Denmark team doctor Martin Boesen, meanwhile, added: "We have carried out a series of tests on Dorgu, and he has not performed well enough to be ready to play in the two matches. He needs further recovery time after his injury, so we are sending him home for additional rehabilitation."

It means that Denmark will be a man lighter for their upcoming Nations League games over the course of the international break. The Red and Whites first take on Portugal at the Braga Municipal Stadium at 7.45pm on Saturday, November 14, before playing host to Norway at the Parken on Tuesday, November 17.

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Whilst Dorgu's fitness levels will be a concern for Manchester United fans, especially given the predicament the club currently finds itself in, his return will give him time to recover as the club looks to transform their season.

As things stand, the Reds sit 18th in the Premier League thanks to just one win from their opening 10 matches. The poorest start to a season in some 40 years has also cost Michael Carrick his job at the Theatre of Dreams, with the board making the executive decision to part ways with the Englishman on Thursday morning.

Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as his successor, with the Argentine expected to land in Greater Manchester on Wednesday, November 18, after seeing out the United States' quarter-final CONCACAF clash with Haiti.

And while the 54-year-old would have hoped to have a full-strength squad to take the reins when he walks into Carrington for the first time, he may have to wait to be able to use Dorgu. The defender had only made his return following a two-month layoff through a hamstring issue last weekend, featuring for 24 minutes during United's 4-4 draw with Aston Villa and scoring the late equaliser.

He could now face another period of rest and recovery while Pochettino looks to take charge of his first game against Liverpool on Sunday, November 22.

Elsewhere, Marcus Rashford, Harry Maguire, Carlos Baleba, Benjamin Sesko and Manuel Ugarte are also waiting in the wings with respective issues of their own, meaning Pochettino could be without a number of key players for his Premier League homecoming.

With that said, Dorgu's early return from international duty could give the full-back ample time to recover ahead of United's fierce rivalry at Anfield, instead of risking worsening his ongoing issues on the European stage.