Manchester United are having a bit of an injury crisis at the moment, particularly in central defence.
At present, Eric Bailly is the only fit and recognised first-team central defender and was partnered with Daley Blind in the 0-0 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.
Bailly has become a key figure for United of late, especially with injury blows to both Chris Smalling and Phil Jones - robbing Jose Mourinho of two other potential options for the upcoming set of fixtures in the crucial run-in.
Image: PA
United face Swansea next on Sunday and because of the lack of options at centre-back, Bailly may well have to play his 11th consecutive game in all competitions.
Youngster Axel Tuanzebe is an option, though and was on the bench against City.
Image: PA
However, when a journalist asked Mourinho in his post-derby press conference about the centre-back situation, he joked that both and Tuanzebe may have to play as a centre-back pairing given the shortage numbers of there.
Watch the brilliant clip here:
Credit: Full Time Devils / YouTube
"In this moment he [Bailly] is the only option we have," the United boss said.
"It's Axel, Eric and Daley. I think Eric and Daley they played again absolutely amazingly. I have to speak with them and see how they are, see how they feel. I'm also training hard in the gym so I can also be an option. Mourinho and Tuanzebe against Swansea."
If you are struggling for central defenders, you might as well make yourself an option, Jose.
Midfield is also a cause for concern for United, who had Timothy Fosu-Mensah taken off with a dislocated shoulder mere minutes after coming on in the Manchester derby.
As a result of that Fosu-Mensah injury, along with Marouane Fellaini's three-match ban for raising his head to Sergio Aguero, only Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera are fit and available to fill the central midfield positions.
Mourinho was asked whether Wayne Rooney is an option for playing in midfield for him given the current predicament, even though the former Chelsea boss noted that he had no intention of playing the skipper in a deeper role.
Image: PA
He came up with the following response:
"Yes, he's an option [in midfield].
"We don't have [any other players there]. We have [Ander] Herrera and [Michael] Carrick and nothing else. And Tim Fosu-Mensah, like today, an emergency to help the team, strong legs, energy, he's another one that we will miss, so we are in trouble but we will fight, that's for sure."
The games are coming thick and fast for United, as they take on Celta Vigo in the Europa League semi-final first leg on Thursday following on from the visit of Swansea this weekend.
(h/t ITV)
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Axel Tuanzebe, Jose Mourinho, Football, Manchester United