.../... Have you re-oriented the "U" before? How did you do it?
No I haven't. I re-phrased my previous reply
As I understand it, there was a batch of filters delivered with wrong orientation...
Can you perhaps go back to the vendor and obtain a correct part?
I do not know if one can re-glue the "U" rubber lip oneself. I would suppose it is not trivial - this rubber would be attached with some industrial type fastener and attachment process, when manufactured
Re: your cork gasket, I guess you can try re-using it. If it later shows any leaking fluid, then replace.
Soak this item in ATF some hours, before mounting it.
/Hans in Sweden