Manchester United take on Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals at Old Trafford on Sunday and manager Erik ten Hag is still having to deal with an injury crisis across his back four.
Injuries have forced the Dutchman to play several players out of position, with the left-back area being most problematic throughout the season. Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat have both been asked to fulfil the role in recent games much to the discomfort of fans.
Sweden captain Lindelof has played at left-back in the last three Premier League games, with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both unavailable due to injuries.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand is far from pleased about the idea of playing the likes of Lindelof out of position, even though he has done well against weaker opposition such as Everton last weekend.
“Mad, it’s killing me,” Ferdinand said on his latest Five podcast. “He is doing it right, but it is just like you don’t have to do be doing that. We are playing people out of position, never playing the same back-four, really. Midfield changing quite a lot.”
Ferdinand raises some valid points and it’s remarkable to think of this all from Andre Onana’s perspective. A new goalkeeper at the biggest club in the world. It is no wonder the Cameroon international had such a rocky start at Old Trafford.
The ex-England defender fears for Lindelof when he faces Mohamed Salah, who has 20 goals and 12 assists for Liverpool this season.
We know it will be a completely different challenge this season when United take on Premier League chasers Liverpool for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals, but hopefully Lindelof can keep Mo Salah quiet on the flank.
I’d argue the Swede is a better option at left-back than Amrabat.
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