Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag could find out his best defence when the Red Devils face Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.
The club have had a mixed start to his current campaign and they are currently sixth in the Premier League with just 12 points from a possible 21.
Ten Hag has personally acknowledged that his team are not playing to the desired level and he will be expecting a better display at Goodison Park.
Ahead of the game, the Dutch tactician is bound to make a few changes to the line-up particularly after an unconvincing 3-2 win over Omonia in Europe.
It could start right from the back. Raphael Varane looks likely to make the squad after overcoming a minor ankle injury that kept him out of the midweek trip.
The World Cup winner should be a straightforward selection over Victor Lindelof in central defence where he should be accompanied by Lisandro Martinez as usual.
At right-back, there are no question marks with Diogo Dalot being an obvious choice. It has been further helped by Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s recent injury troubles.
Hence, there is just one place up for debate and that’s the left-back position.
Tyrell Malacia has had a good start to his United career, but his defensive organisation has let him down over the two games following the international break.
Most especially against Omonia, he was guilty of a poor first touch from a Jadon Sancho backpass which paved the way for a shock lead for the Cypriot side.
There were no surprises that he was replaced by Luke Shaw at the half-time interval, and we believe the England star will now be reinstated into the first XI.
Malacia has done a credible job in the early weeks of his United career, but he has not provided much in an attacking sense and needs to improve his crossing.
On the contrary, Shaw is better when it comes to delivering crosses into the box and also has the knack of getting into goalscoring positions (at least for England).
An in-form Shaw would obviously get the regular nod over Malacia but whether he can hit his strides under Ten Hag over the coming games is left to be seen.
Ten Hag looks likely to start with a back four of Dalot, Varane, Martinez and Shaw against the Toffees and he could be about to find out his best defensive quartet.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
