Manchester United cannot bring Chris Smalling back from his loan spell at Roma to ease their defensive crisis.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been left with just one fit centre-half for this weekend’s clash with Norwich City, amid a growing injury nightmare for the Norwegian.
Much has been made of Paul Pogba’s continued absence, with the Frenchman undergoing surgery this week on another ankle injury.
And Scott McTominay, one of United’s best players this term, is currently on crutches too.
Harry Maguire added to the Red Devils’ issues when he elected to play on at Wolves in the FA Cup last weekend, despite being hampered throughout by a hip problem.
The England international defender subsequently missed the League Cup loss to Manchester City, and is now out of action for the next month.
That made him the fourth centre-half on the shelf, with United already without Axel Tuanzebe, Eric Bailly and Marcos Rojo.
Phil Jones started but struggled against City in midweek and hasn’t had regular football for some time. He limped down the tunnel suffering from cramps on Tuesday, and is a doubt for the weekend.
Smalling meanwhile has done well in Italy, becoming a fan favourite with Giallorossi supporters, but there is no option in his temporary deal to bring him back to Old Trafford early.
As such, Solskjaer has choices to make ahead of the clash with the Canaries, and has recalled Cameron Borthwick-Jackson from a loan spell at Tranmere Rovers.
He has made just six appearances in his latest loan spell away from the club, but hasn’t played a competitive senior match for the club since 2015-16.
An ex-England youth international, he could be on the bench this weekend, with Nemanja Matic likely to start alongside Lindelof if Jones isn't 100 percent.
Jamanoor88
0
Ed Woodward + United's Decision Makers + Club's structure = DISASTER UNITED
Pabbckno
0
Is this blog okay atall? Matic as CB how ? We will rather play 10 against 11 than to play matic as CB
Susdemnop
1
put lingard in defense since he can't score
feels like he can play fullback
kabbdntyz
0
put lingard in defense since he can't score
hahaha boss come on
Chima92
2
Ole is very stupid n confused i must say. Why do i feel like he doesn't want to achieve anything significant with the club cos his poor decisions proves that!
Biybipsu
0
even lindelof is not good enough for a team like Manchester United. they should also loan lindelof maybe he can become a good player too
Vatadeilot
0
So we have a bunch of players sitting outside the pitch but drawing large sums of money while the team is struggling and losing games like amateurs. What a pathetic situation.
radcdlno
0
See us now what a pity I suggest we switch to a 3- 4-3 with lindelof AWB and B Williams in defence ...and hope Pukki will not have a good day
cezbekrtz
2
give them Jones instead
madcow
0
put lingard in defense since he can't score
good one
madcow
0
If we had kept Herrera and loan lingard and kept smalling and sell Phil Jones we would be great now 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
That would be ideal but nobody wants to loan Lingard. Nobody wants to buy Jones. But people wants Smalling and Herrera. Smalling doesn't want to be a bench player so he left. Herrera wants to win league titles so he went to PSG. We don't really have a choice on this
Beeamnp
1
If we had kept Herrera and loan lingard and kept smalling and sell Phil Jones we would be great now 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
for real
Wotcdpsu
0
If we had kept Herrera and loan lingard and kept smalling and sell Phil Jones we would be great now 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
that's true my brother
vuploruz
0
If Mourinho was still the Manchester United manager, he would easily fix that problem by playing McTominay in central defence 😂
you are out of touch
Beucdekp
4
If we had kept Herrera and loan lingard and kept smalling and sell Phil Jones we would be great now 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
Beucdekp
0
put lingard in defense since he can't score
Please don’t suggest that he would start scoring in our goal 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️
geraldktm
3
put lingard in defense since he can't score
Ladimnst
1
smalling was one of the most regular players for man utd why did you sent him to loan?.poor foresight from the manager.
mzeereal
3
No need to even think of smalling for now..he won't come bcs you personally left bad wood , bad players and loan away better player like smalling. Now you want him to come and sit on bench when he has been enjoying his stay and games..Just buy another player..those injury prone players should go
Vezonic22
4
Hard slap right now in United's face. Couldn't wait to get rid of Smalling, now desperately want him back.
Andy_Mac
3
If Mourinho was still the Manchester United manager, he would easily fix that problem by playing McTominay in central defence 😂
wardsham
1
it's January utd why worry or wait ye have got the money spend it buy a center back umtiti
poebcilyz
0
ofcours instead of borhweik Ole has to bring Smaling back what ever amount u paid
its possible to terminated the contract cos its a lone agreement its not a sale agreement
FootballFAN2110
0
Smalling is better back for United because is better then Victor lindelop
Smalling's loan can't be terminated. It's in the contract.
FootballFAN2110
0
you are 💯 right if only the board and solksjear can agree that will be a good option
Smalling cannot be brought back. It's in the loan contract.
FootballFAN2110
0
ofcours instead of borhweik Ole has to bring Smaling back what ever amount u paid
You cant. The loan cannot be terminated. It's in the contract.
Zuaaknrsty
1
as how we don't need him to be back
poebcilyz
0
ofcours instead of borhweik Ole has to bring Smaling back what ever amount u paid
Fuyiklpsz
0
you are 💯 right if only the board and solksjear can agree that will be a good option
alhajitycoon
3
Smalling is better back for United because is better then Victor lindelop
Spartacus_Aye419
1
So Eric Bailly is still a Manchester United Player ? Unbelievable tho
TheBeautifulGame1
7
Put lingard there[Crylaugh][Crylaugh]