Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has only been able to pick his first-choice defence on two occasions this season, with injury issues one again piling up.
Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday that left-back Luke Shaw could be out for the rest of the season after picking up his latest injury that saw him withdrawn at half time of the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over Luton at the weekend.
Shaw has been limited to just 15 appearances this season as he’s dealt with numerous injury issues, and finds himself sweating over being fit in time for the summer’s European Championships having picked up a leg injury.
United have had a difficult campaign in what has been the Dutchman’s second season in charge, but haven’t been helped by the rarity of their first-choice defence being available for selection.
Erik ten Hag has been able to pick his first-choice back four one just two occasions this season
(Left to right) Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw have played just once together in the Premier League
Shaw is set to be out for the rest of the season after picking up an injury against Aston Villa
Both game the quartet have started together have been wins, with an FA Cup victory over Newport coming prior to the 4-3 win over Wolves earlier this month.
Regular absences have forced the likes of Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof to step up and deputise, with Ten Hag often having to re-shuffle his defence to find solutions regarding a line-up.
Lindelof has at times appeared uncomfortable at left-back, but, with Tyrell Malacia a long-term absentee and Sergio Reguilon’s loan cancelled, there is no obvious back-up to Shaw.
And Shaw has been a big miss. His 1.2 chances created per 90 this season is the best of any of United’s defenders, and, in a Red Devils side that has at time struggled for goals, his creativity will be missed.
Diego Dalot and Raphael Varane are at least enjoying sustainable runs in the team, with Dalot managing 33 appearances in all competitions this season.
Varane, meanwhile, has played 23 times, often being benched or left out due to injury.
Martinez, meanwhile, faces a number of weeks on the sidelines having re-injured himself three games after returning
The likes of Harry Maguire (left) and Jonny Evans (right) have perhaps played more games than they would have expected
Ten Hag will hope to have better luck on the injury front next season, particularly with Martinez, who had been tipped to be the solution to his side’s defensive issues.
The World Cup winner made his long-awaited comeback against Tottenham, but re-injured himself against West Ham and faces a number of weeks on the sidelines.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka also remains out, though Ten Hag put Harry Maguire’s half time substitution against Luton down to his first half booking.
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