If Jonny Evans is unavailable for Manchester United next Monday, who should they pick to line up alongside Rio Ferdinand?
Manchester United are facing big questions in defence ahead of the crucial match at the Etihad.
After having a settled back four for the past two months, questions marks are being asked over team selection.
This is part pre-empted by injury, part poor performance against Everton.
With Vidic out for the season, Jonny Evans has stepped up admirably, but it has been revealed in the past 24 hours that he has missed training all week with an injury.
This leaves a question mark over who will step up in his absence if he is passed unfit. Chris Smalling or Phil Jones.
Both Smalling and Jones have had a disappointing second half to the season, struggling to hold down places in the first team.
Jones has been disappointing at centre-back when asked this season, while Smalling has not played there nearly enough, suffering injuries and illness, but would appear on the face of it to be the more reliable of the two.
The issue with Evans’ injury is it complicates the right-back spot, with reports emerging that Ferguson intends to drop Rafael after conceding four against Everton.
It was suggested Smalling or Jones would step in at right-back, so could they both play?
The other option available to Ferguson is playing Antonio Valencia at right-back, freeing up space for Nani on the right-wing and Young on the left.
It is an interesting conundrum, Evans may recover to be passed fit, but if not, both Smalling or Jones will have to be ready for the biggest game of their lives.
Who would you pick at centre-back alongside Ferdinand if Evans is not fit?
Who should partner Ferdinand?
image: © Paolo camera
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