Louis van Gaal says he will consider starting Wayne Rooney in defensive midfield for Manchester United at Chelsea on Saturday after losing four players to injury.
Michael Carrick misses out at Stamford Bridge with the calf problem that forced him off towards the end of Sunday's derby win over Manchester City, and Van Gaal will also be without Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo.
That gives the United manager problems at the back, with Jonny Evans still banned, although left-back Luke Shaw is available for the first time since last month's FA Cup defeat to Arsenal.
Paddy McNair is the obvious choice to partner Chris Smalling at centre-half, but the absences of Blind and Carrick leave United without a recognised holding midfielder.
That could mean a role for Rooney at the base of Van Gaal's midfield, a move which would open the door for either Robin van Persie or Radamel Falcao to come in up front.
Neither player has started a game since February, but Falcao has featured regularly as a substitute and Van Persie has been back in training for more than a week after recovering from ankle ligament damage.
"It is the worst scenario," Van Gaal said. "Marcos and Phil can both play left central defender and Jonny Evans is also suspended so I do not have many choices.
"Daley Blind and Michael Carrick could play as a holding midfield player and I do not have another option. It is a puzzle."
United go to Stamford Bridge eight points behind the Premier League leaders, who have a game in hand, and one behind second-placed Arsenal.
Credit: Skysports
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