Manchester United veteran Jonny Evans is reportedly set for a stint at left-back as Erik ten Hag works around a selection crisis.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly ready to field Jonny Evans in an unfamiliar position as he works around a defensive selection crisis.
The Red Devils are set to return from the international break with depleted options at full-back, as summer signing Noussair Mazraoui recently underwent an operation to address heart palpitations.
In addition, long-term absentee Tyrell Malacia is still working his way back from a severe knee problem, while the injury-riddled Luke Shaw is still uncertain for the weekend’s clash with Brentford due to his calf concern.
Man United’s defensive concerns are not limited to the wide areas, as Leny Yoro is on the mend from his pre-season foot fracture, and Harry Maguire recently confirmed that a calf issue will sideline him for a few weeks.
With Mazraoui sidelined for a number of weeks, Diogo Dalot – who has been filling in on the left flank of late – is expected to revert to his familiar right-back role, leaving Ten Hag in a pickle on the opposite side.
Evans to play left-back against Brentford?
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According to The Mirror, Ten Hag will have no qualms about fielding Evans as an emergency left-back against Brentford if need be, as he is likely to be without a total of five defenders for the visit of the Bees.
Lisandro Martinez would represent a more natural option at left-back, but with Yoro and Maguire both out, he is likely to be required in the middle of the backline alongside Matthijs de Ligt.
As a result, Ten Hag is supposedly open to fielding Evans out wide when Thomas Frank‘s side come to Old Trafford, on what would be just the 36-year-old’s second start of the Premier League season.
Despite his recent lack of action, Evans put in a man-of-the-match performance in the Red Devils’ goalless draw with Aston Villa two weekends ago, and he is not a total stranger to playing at left-back.
The Northern Ireland international – who is equally competent on his right and left foot – made a handful of appearances in that position earlier in his career, including 12 in the 2015-16 Premier League season with West Bromwich Albion.
How else can Ten Hag solve defensive crisis?
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As if Ten Hag did not have enough to worry about without a growing injury crisis – the Dutchman could hardly be under more pressure to glean a positive result this weekend after overseeing Man United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season.
The former Ajax boss can go down a few different paths for the Brentford game, though, as Martinez could still play on the left-hand side, with Evans and De Ligt partnering up in the centre.
Victor Lindelof is another option and could do a job in either the heart of defence or on the left, but the Swede is ostensibly below the 36-year-old Evans in the pecking order.
Should Ten Hag decide to take a punt on youth instead, he could promote 20-year-old Toby Collyer to the first XI; he completed the full 90 at left-back in last month’s 7-0 EFL Cup demolition of Barnsley.
Man United occupy a lowly 14th place in the Premier League table, taking just eight points from their first seven games of the new term while only netting five goals.