Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has said that there is not currently a guaranteed starter at right-back for the Red Devils due to the form of Aaron Wan-Bissaka since December.
Wan-Bissaka was widely expected to leave Man United in January due to his struggles for action, with Diogo Dalot firmly the first-choice right-back for the club.
However, a hamstring injury that Dalot picked up while representing Portugal at the 2022 World Cup opened the door of opportunity for Wan-Bissaka, who has been a regular in the second half of the campaign.
Wan-Bissaka played the full 90 minutes of the goalless draw with Southampton in the league on March 12, but he missed out against Newcastle United on Sunday due to illness.
The 25-year-old is expected to return to the squad against Brentford on Wednesday, meaning that Ten Hag will have to choose between him and Dalot for the role on the right side of the defence.
© Reuters
"I think it's really close, the competition between them," Ten Hag told reporters. "Maybe Aaron gives you a little bit more defending, Diogo gives you maybe a little more offence. But I have to say I think they both have made progress in both areas, so it's really close.
"You look at the opponent, you look at the load on the players and you have to manage that when you have two almost-equal players.
"Then the form they are in is also an issue and then, of course, how is the team doing in the moment? Then you make your decisions."
Wan-Bissaka has provided one assist in 22 appearances for Man United this season, while Dalot has one goal and three assists in 33 outings for the Red Devils in 2022-23.
Dalot is expected to sign a new deal at Old Trafford, while Wan-Bissaka is being linked with a summer exit despite his return to form over the last few months.
© Reuters
"We had a very bad performance because the opponent wanted it more than we [did]," Ten Hag added during his pre-match press conference when asked about the 2-0 loss to Newcastle on Sunday.
"They were sharper and you could see that in the challenges. We won only 16 from 61 challenges in offence and in defence, the opponent beats us 48 from 78 challenges. Ah, then you can't win a game.
"Let's be fair, I know what football is, we're talking in the emotion after one defeat we now had. But we are in the right position. This squad is doing that and you can talk about deficits but every squad has deficits.
'I trust my players to give good performances and get the best results. They have shown it so many times. Arsenal at home, Liverpool at home, [Manchester] City at home, but also Barcelona twice, so they can do it. So, don't talk about what's coming after and severe decisions.
"I trust my players and they deserve it because they give the performances and we are in the right position. But now the season starts and we had a really bad start of the season when you go to Newcastle, and as a team you deliver this, [it's] far below our standards and the performance we can expect."
Man United have back-to-back home league games against Brentford and Everton before hosting Sevilla for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on April 13.
Matt Law
