Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is prepared to play Jonny Evans as an emergency left-back in Saturday’s must-win game against Brentford in the Premier League.
The Red Devils have had a dismal start to the top-flight campaign and they have picked up only eight points from a possible 21. The club are presently 14th in the standings.
United welcome the Bees to Old Trafford this weekend and the game could be a make-or-break for Ten Hag, who is under immense pressure after a poor run of results.
The club are winless in the last five outings in all competitions. Ahead of the fixture, Mirror report that the Dutchman could have a surprise in store in the left-back spot.
With Noussair Mazraoui absent after a minor heart procedure, Mirror claim that Diogo Dalot could move to his customary right-back role with Jonny Evans on the left.
Evans was United’s man of the match versus Aston Villa before the international break. The 36-year-old was brilliant in central defence, winning 11 duels and four tackles.
Despite this, Ten Hag seems to be considering the veteran for the left-back role against the Bees. Evans has previously featured 23 times in his career from the position.
This could see Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez start in the heart of the backline.
Ten Hag has received the backing from the hierarchy over recent months, but he could be sacked from the helm if United fail to beat Thomas Frank’s side on Saturday afternoon.
With this in mind, the manager is probably flirting with danger with his plan for Evans. The Northern Irishman is strong when it comes to aerial duels, but he lacks the mobility.
Bryan Mbeumo has been in exemplary form for the Bees this term with six goals in seven league games and he could dominate Evans with his dribbling skills and direct running.
It won’t be a good sight to watch in our view. An alternative choice would be to play Martinez, but the Argentine star has also looked uncomfortable from the defensive position.
The best choice could be to stick with Victor Lindelof at right-back with Dalot continuing on the left.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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