Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may move Aaron Wan-Bissaka to a new position if Manchester United complete the signing of Kieran Trippier.
The Red Devils paid £45million to prise Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace two years ago and the Englishman is considered one of the best right-backs in the Premier League.
But Old Trafford chiefs are concerned about the 23-year-old's workload, with the lack of a recognised back-up meaning he played 54 games last season.
This led to their lengthy pursuit of England international Trippier which may come to a conclusion next week as United close in on completing the £18million signing from Atletico Madrid.
That's according to The Sun, which claims Solskjaer has already come up with a plan to fit Wan-Bissaka and Trippier into his starting XI.
The Norwegian manager reportedly hopes to mould Wan-Bissaka into a centre-back and deploy Trippier as a wing-back.
Not only does this allow both players to start, it may also play to each of their strengths.
Trippier, 30, is accustomed to playing as a wing-back and was fielded in such a role by Gareth Southgate at Euro 2020.
The former Tottenham star - who won La Liga with Atletico last season - is renowned for his crossing ability and his potency over the dead ball, so he will welcome license to roam up and down the right flank.
Wan-Bissaka, meanwhile, is considered far more effective operating in his own half than the opposition's.
As such, playing on the right of a centre-back trio may be the ideal role for him to showcase his exemplary one-versus-one defensive ability.
The report adds Solskjaer also harbours concerns over Wan-Bissaka's ability to defend crosses, so this new position would leave him in the box to snuff out danger rather than attempting to block balls from out wide.
It has also been noted Trippier can play at left-back, as he has done on many occasions for the Three Lions, so he could provide Solskjaer with another back-up option for compatriot Luke Shaw.
With United also on the brink of signing Raphael Varane from Real Madrid, Solskjaer's defence may look considerably different next season.
Captain Harry Maguire and Shaw are expected to keep their spots in the first-choice XI, with the latter moving to left wing-back.
Varane and Wan-Bissaka may be deployed in the centre and on the right of a three-man central defensive pairing respectively, with Maguire likely to play in his favoured role on the left.
Trippier may then line up on the right flank to support Jadon Sancho, who underwent a medical earlier this week ahead of completing his £73million transfer from Borussia Dortmund.