Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s injury crisis could give defensive duo Manchester United lifeline

Solskjaer and Fernandes laud Man Utd attacking talent

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been handed a fresh injury blow as Manchester United face further defensive issues, but it could force unlikely starts for two of their forgotten stars, as they welcome Manchester City on Saturday.

When Manchester United signed Raphael Varane this summer, it looked like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had finally put together a title winning defensive line, especially with the standout performances from Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw during the summer European Championships.

Despite the high expectations, United have only kept two clean sheets this season across all competitions, with injuries to their back-line constantly creating problems for Solskjaer.

Club captain Maguire was the first to hit the treatment room, and Varane has since been ruled out for the foreseeable future, providing opportunities for forgotten pair Victor Lindelof and Eric Bailly in their absence.

However, Lindelof has been named doubtful by Solskjaer ahead of the Manchester derby this Saturday, which could land a potential starting role to a couple of United stars ahead of their blockbuster clash against their city rivals.

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Lindelof has been a consistent starter for United since September due to injuries to both Maguire and Varane, but with the Sweden international a notable omission from the side that drew with Atalanta in midweek, it could force Solskjaer into another reshuffle.

Since United were thrashed 5-0 by Liverpool, Solskjaer has switched to three centre-backs as opposed to his standard pairing, with Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka operating in wider roles, but with a lack of depth centrally, it could force the Norwegian to start Alex Telles or Diogo Dalot.

Bailly made a rare appearance against Atalanta in midweek, and despite signing a new deal in April, it appears that Solskjaer doesn’t trust the Ivorian at the back.

Although the trip to Italy on Tuesday was a big test for Bailly, City is a completely different task, and Solskjaer may opt to play Wan-Bissaka on the right-hand side of his centre-back trio, which opens up an opportunity for Dalot or Telles to start on the right.

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City are one of the most frightening sides in Europe going forward, and with United so vulnerable at the back, Solskjaer may trust Wan-Bissaka in the wider central role in the hope that his pace and one-on-one defensive skills pay off against a lethal Guardiola attack.

Both Dalot and Telles are talented back-ups out wide, and with Dalot is the more natural right-sided player, it could be an excellent opportunity to make a major statement at United, and kick-off his career at Old Trafford.

The 22-year-old starred on loan for AC Milan last season, and the Italian side even expressed interest in signing the Portuguese international on a permanent basis, which was rejected by United.

The rejection eluded to the fact that Dalot must be in United’s future plans, and with Portuguese compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo in trademark goal scoring form, there may be no better time than to trust the defender, who assisted the five-time Ballon d’Or winner during the most recent international break.

Telles has also been somewhat of an outcast for United since signing from FC Porto in 2020, but the Brazilian did score the last time he featured for Solskjaer’s side, as his goal levelled the score against Villarreal in the Champions League, before Ronaldo scored a late winner at Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old holds a lot more experience than Dalot, and could also be handed a role elsewhere should Solskjaer see fit.

With United in extremely inconsistent form, the prospect of City attacking a weak defence is certainly a daunting task for Solskjaer’s side, especially with the Red Devils losing 5-0 to Liverpool in their last Old Trafford outing.

However, United have become somewhat of a bogey team for Guardiola, as Solskjaer’s side have only lost one of their last five matches against City, winning three.

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