Manchester United face a defensive crisis as Louis Van Gaal’s already thin defensive options have been further stretched by Chris Smalling’s umpteenth injury.
Smalling suffered a thigh strain in training on Wednesday and is unlikely he’ll be fit to face West Ham on Saturday, leaving Van Gaal without a recognised centre-back, given Jonny Evans and Phil Jones are also sidelined, while Michael Carrick, who had been touted as a possible short-term solution in the role, is still two weeks away from return.
With Tyler Blackett suspended, Marcos Rojo could be given the nod at centre-back alongside Daley Blind with Luke Shaw making his official debut at left-back, though Van Gaal could also opt to temporarily return to a three-man defence if Smalling fails to recover.
