Manchester United have five options to solve problem position this weekend

Manchester United have five candidates to fill in at full-back when they face Brentford at Old Trafford this weekend. United return to Premier League action on Saturday afternoon and will require a much-improved performance to ease the pressure on under fire manager Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag retains the backing of the United board for now but will have to turn his side's fortunes around at a time when they could be without as many as nine players, including a defensive injury crisis.

United are likely to have only one fit senior full-back when they welcome Brentford, with Diogo Dalot set to start in one of the roles, depending on who is selected to start in the other position.

Dalot has featured at left-back for most of the season but could return to his favoured right-back role, with Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans both candidates to fill in on the other flank.

The other option would be for Dalot to remain in the makeshift left-back position he has occupied for most of the season, with Victor Lindelof the leading candidate to fill-in on the right. The Swede impressed as a full-back when he made his first appearance of the season in the second-half of the goalless draw with Aston Villa last time out.

United's final wildcard solution would be to utilise a youngster at left-back, with Dalot on the right. Toby Collyer played in the role during the 7-0 thrashing of Barnsley in the League Cup, but played poorly and it would be a significant risk to use him there again against better opposition. Many supporters would like to see teenager Harry Amass given the chance in his natural left-back role, though Ten Hag has reservations about using him just yet and believes the 17-year-old lacks the physicality required to succeed in the Premier League.