Erik ten Hag hoped that the days of Manchester United ‘make do and mend’ were over.
There were many quick fixes last season, with Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer being hired in January to fill gaps created by injuries, suspensions and an intense schedule.
The United manager had to make do with all kinds of solutions, particularly in midfield and in attack, due to a lack of depth in the squad.
The expensive summer signings of Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount should have largely solved this, but in true whack-a-mole style, United now have unforeseen problems at left-back.
On Thursday, United confirmed their first choice in that position, Luke Shaw, will be sidelined for several weeks with a muscle injury.
Luke Shaw has handed Manchester United another injury setback as the left-back prepares for several weeks on the sidelines
It leaves manager Erik ten Hag looking for another quick fix for his team as injuries pile up
Tyrell Malacia, a recognized left back, is also on the sidelines, forcing Ten Hag to look for other options
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That is quite a blow as Shaw was a player Ten Hag often used during his first season as captain, even ahead of one of his own signings, Tyrell Malacia.
With Malacia also on the injury list and unfit having missed United’s pre-season tour to the United States, the obvious like-for-like replacement is unavailable.
Ten Hag said on Friday that it will take ‘a few weeks’ before Malacia can qualify.
And in a classic case of turf law, Brandon Williams, a left-back, signed on loan for Championship runners Ipswich Town on Thursday.
Although Williams only played five minutes of senior football last season, he could certainly have stepped into the breach as United host Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon.
Instead, he will be part of the Ipswich squad and face Leeds United at Portman Road after reuniting with ex-Old Trafford coach Kieran McKenna.
The That reports the Manchester Evening News that United are now looking for left-back cover after Shaw’s injury – another solution.
Brandon Williams, pictured on United’s pre-season tour of the United States, is a licensed left-back, but has just joined Ipswich Town on loan
But with only a few days left until the September 1 transfer deadline, it’s just another thing to add to the back-up goalkeeper, with midfielder and centre-back United would ideally bring in.
Regardless of transfer priorities, a quick fix will be needed on Saturday if the Ten Hag side are to recover from last weekend’s underperformance in defeat to Tottenham.
‘Certainly, we have the solutions in our selection to deal with this,’ says Ten Hag.
“We thought about this scenario before the season: it can happen, you hope to prevent it. But when it happens, you have to be ready.’
The most obvious answer might be to bring in Diogo Dalot. Although primarily a right-back, he has made a number of appearances at left-back for United.
Lisandro Martinez, a left-footed centre-back, is another potential substitute and Victor Lindelof could join the squad to partner Raphael Varane at centre-back. Harry Maguire takes a hit.
Or Ten Hag can go to the young left back Alvaro Fernandez.
The 20-year-old Spaniard started four of United’s pre-season games with Ten Hag, who were eager to audition him after a successful season on loan at Championship club Preston North End.
Diogo Dalot (left), usually a right-back, can move to the left, or left-footed center back Lisandro Martinez (right) can come on
The young left-back Alvaro Fernandez could be eligible for a first competition match with the seniors
Although Fernandez has been linked with another loan to Granada in Spain, sheer circumstances could mean he stays at Old Trafford a little longer.
United fans would be delighted if the academy graduate, who joined Real Madrid in 2020, made a first-team debut, but Ten Hag must decide whether he is ready for action in the Premier League.
He did play a friendly behind closed doors against Burnley midway through the week, which United lost 3–0.
Whoever starts, the absence of England stalwart Shaw means Steve Cooper will undoubtedly focus on the left of United’s defence, with Brennan Johnson, who draws £50 million interest from Tottenham, more than capable of trouble to cause.
It has undoubtedly been a chaotic start to the season for United, with the decision of Mason Greenwood and the ongoing takeover saga, on top of worries over £72m striker Rasmus Hojlund’s back.
Forest will likely deploy Brennan Johnson to target the left side of United’s depleted back-line
Rasmus Hojlund still not ready to make his United debut as he has a problem
They were riotous, with first-half chances against the Spurs completely crushed in midfield in the lucky opening win over Wolves.
There are doubts about Casemiro and the balance in midfield, although the arrival of Christian Eriksen for the injured Mason Mount could ease that. Some look inexplicably “leggy” for August.
Now, injury worries are piling up for Ten Hag, necessitating even more improvisation and perhaps a belated trolley dash.
A mutinous mood reigns at Old Trafford on Saturday, with anti-Glazer protest group The 1958 planning a sit-in for an hour after the final whistle.
Anything less than three points and a few goals against a Forest side are expected to struggle again this season, especially with a tough trip to Arsenal looming next week, and things could get ugly.
A few missing left-backs could well be the least of United’s concerns in that case.
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