With Phil Jones and Eric Bailly banned from Europe causing a defensive crisis, here’s what Man United can do instead
Step up new signing Victor Lindelof and experienced central defender Chris Smalling to bridge the Champions League gap
LAST season’s Europa League triumph ensured Manchester United would return to the Champions League in 2017/18.
But manager Jose Mourinho already faces a selection headache ahead of the first group game.
The draw hasn’t yet been made, so United don’t know who they’ll face.
But the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss knows he’ll be without several key defenders.
Our friends at Football Whispers have taken a look at Mourinho’s impending Champions League defensive crisis and how he can solve it.
A red card in the second leg of United’s Europa League semi-final meant Eric Bailly was unavailable for the final victory over Ajax in Stockholm back in May.
But the Ivorian’s three-game suspension will also preclude his involvement in the upcoming Super Cup clash with Real Madrid as well as the Champions League opener.
It also came to light this week that England international Phil Jones will also be suspended for both the Super Cup and the first Champions League group game.
MANCHESTER UNITED TRANSFER NEWS
The versatile 25-year-old defender has been hit with a two-game European ban and a £4,500 fine for directing foul and abusive language toward an anti-doping official during United’s Europa League final celebrations.
It is believed the Old Trafford club intend to contest Jones’ suspension but there is no guarantee of a different verdict. And if UEFA deem the appeal frivolous there is the danger that the player’s ban could be extended.
As if the absence of Jones and Bailly wasn’t causing enough of a selection quandary for Mourinho, he will also be without Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo.
Both players suffered injuries at the back end of last season which have ruled them out for the opening months of 2017/18.
However, despite the impending crisis of absentees in the defensive department, Mourinho still has some top-quality options at his disposal.
In the centre of defence, new signing Victor Lindelof will likely step up. The 23-year-old Swede was brought in from Benfica this summer for £31million and has looked a little out of sync thus far in pre-season.
But that is not any real indication of his prospects of developing into the calibre of player who will improve United’s backline.
Jaap Stam and Nemanja Vidic both struggled to adapt to life at Old Trafford early on but soon became stalwarts of Sir Alex Ferguson’s back four.
Lindelof has all the qualities to succeed at United, but if Mourinho was hoping to integrate him slowly into the team, the suspensions to Jones and Bailly might have scuppered that plan.
Alongside him will be Chris Smalling. The England defender has come in for more than his share of criticism over the last 12 months and many felt that he could be shipped out of the club this summer.
But he remains an experienced central defender who will help Lindelof settle into the side in the Super Cup and the first Champions League fixture of the campaign.
With Shaw and Rojo both out, Daley Blind is almost certain to get the nod at left-back. The versatile Dutchman, though unspectacular, is a reliable performer and has plenty of experience in the position.
On the right side of defence, Antonio Valencia, voted the club’s Players’ Player of the Year last season, will retain his starting berth.
The powerful Ecuadorian was one of United’s outstanding performers last term when he was steadiness and consistency personified.
Keep up to date with ALL the transfer news and gossip on our blog
Mourinho also has the option of using versatile Italian international Matteo Darmian in either of the full-back roles.
A return to Serie A had been mooted for the former Torino man, but his performances towards the tail end of 2016/17 appear to have earned the trust of his manager.
So he could be drafted in as an alternative to Blind or Valencia if defensive solidity is a priority.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
