Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has suggested that he could use Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw as his two central defenders in the closing stages of the 2022-23 campaign.
Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have been the team's first-choice centre-back pairing for much of the season, but the latter is out for the campaign with a broken foot, while the former is facing a battle to be fit for the FA Cup final at the start of June due to a troublesome ankle issue.
Harry Maguire and Lindelof are currently the team's only senior fit central defenders, but the club captain was suspended against Brighton & Hove Albion in the semi-finals of the FA Cup last weekend before missing out against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday through injury.
Maguire was back against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon, but Ten Hag decided to keep faith with Lindelof and Shaw as a centre-back pairing following their displays against Brighton and Tottenham.
The Man United head coach was full of praise for their performances after the 1-0 win over Villa, with Bruno Fernandes's first-half goal securing a vital three points for the home side.
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"Victor is playing brilliantly, in and out of possession, defending in control but then in building up also he's composed, with good positioning," Ten Hag told reporters.
"Shaw likes to play centre-half – he's a full-back but he's doing very well inside. You need co-operation because a back four with the midfield is always about communication, but they play very well together and we're happy with that.
"But always also I have to say it's about the whole team. They are so determined and passionate to win games in attack but also in defence, and that's what you need if you want to be successful."
Maguire was introduced as a late substitute against Villa, with the England international replacing Marcel Sabitzer in the 86th minute of the contest.
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However, Ten Hag's words appear to suggest that he will keep faith with Lindelof and Shaw as the centre-back pairing for Thursday's Premier League clash against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Man United are now in a strong position to claim a top-four spot in the Premier League table, sitting seven points ahead of fifth-placed Liverpool, with a game in hand on the Reds.
A recent report claimed that the Red Devils are planning to activate an extension in Lindelof's contract, with Ten Hag determined to keep hold of the Sweden international.
Maguire, on the other hand, has allegedly accepted that he might have to leave Old Trafford this summer in order to keep hold of his starting role for England heading towards Euro 2024.
The 30-year-old, who has only started seven Premier League matches for Man United this season, is believed to be interesting West Ham United, Roma and Inter Milan.
Matt Law
