Manchester United is currently facing a full-back crisis, with four senior full-backs sidelined, and they may have to think outside the box again as they prepare to face Brentford.
Sofyan Amrabat’s commitment and work ethic at Manchester United are unquestionable. However, the fault lies not with him but with the fact that he has been consistently played out of position in every match since his arrival. His signing was intended to strengthen the defensive midfield, but due to the ongoing defensive crisis, he has been deployed as a left-back.
Sofyan Amrabat looks dejected after his side concede a third goal against Galatasaray
This positional switch has not done justice to Amrabat’s abilities, and it’s not entirely his fault. United is currently grappling with the absence of three senior full-back options, further complicating the situation. The fitness of Sergio Reguilon, who might have been a potential solution, is still uncertain ahead of the Brentford clash.
Even if Reguilon were fit, there might be reservations about rushing his return, given the risk of potential repercussions. This risk might have been taken if either Luke Shaw or Tyrell Malacia were available, but since neither has returned to team training, it would be an unnecessary gamble, especially with tougher challenges looming.
Luke Shaw or Tyrell Malacia are not ready for Manchester United
Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, must prepare his team for the Brentford match with the assumption that he won’t have a natural left-back available. It’s evident that Amrabat is ill-suited for this role, primarily due to his defensive limitations, which have made him a target for opposition attacks.
Amrabat’s strengths lie in his ball-playing abilities, and he could still contribute effectively in his preferred midfield role. Therefore, it would be prudent to spare him from playing at left-back, especially given the ongoing injury concerns.
A more sensible approach would be to move Diogo Dalot back to his makeshift left-back position and reposition another player to fill the right-back role. Victor Lindelof could be a candidate for this role, although it would require someone else to take his place in central defense of Manchester United.
Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans are potential candidates for this role, and players like Casemiro and Scott McTominay also have prior experience playing at center-back. While this may not be the ideal or most conventional solution, the failed Amrabat experiment suggests that it’s worth considering for the upcoming match.
In summary, Manchester United faces a full-back crisis, and with Amrabat’s struggles in the left-back role, an unconventional solution may be necessary for the Brentford clash.
