Erik ten Hag has conducted his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Fulham on Sunday.
Ten Hag recorded it after United’s 4-2 win over Aston Villa in the EFL Cup as he looks ahead to the final club game before the World Cup.
He touched on a range of topics, including the fitness of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams, who have not started a game at all this season.
That issue has come into focus with Diogo Dalot suspended for the trip to Craven Cottage, with Wan-Bissaka having just four minutes to his name this term.
Ten Hag press conference before Fulham game
When asked how the pair had done this season, he said: “Not that well, because Brandon wasn’t available, [he had] a bad injury, and really struggled but he is in the right direction.
“He is in a good way, he is back on the pitch and he will return to team training next week. He will go with us to the training camp in Cadiz, he will be available for the team, so happy for him.
“AWB, he struggled as well, but in a different side.
“Some injuries, some illnesses, so was also often not available, but doesn’t have a real big problem so it’s about him [getting] really fit and to make competition with Diogo for the second half of the season.”
It doesn’t seem like either Williams or Wan-Bissaka will be the man to replace Dalot on the right of the back four against Fulham.
That means that Ten Hag is looking at the prospect of playing one of his defenders out of position to cover for the suspended defender, who is bound for the World Cup with Portugal.
Victor Lindelof has played there before, which would see Harry Maguire keep his place at centre-back, alongside Lisandro Martinez.
Or Tyrell Malacia could come into the side and play in a role he has operated in briefly during the Europa League campaign, with Luke Shaw usurping him at left-back of late.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
