Manchester United could find themselves without up to 11 first-team players when they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.
Hosting his pre-match press conference at Carrington on Friday lunchtime, head coach Ruben Amorim issued a fresh injury update, again admitting that he does not expect any of his currently injured players to return. He also confirmed that Alejandro Garnacho is in a battle to be fit after sustaining "a knock" against Ipswich Town.
"He has a knock," Amorim said. "When he went to shoot, was blocked almost inside the box. He has a knock, I expect for him to be ready but we will see. I have to wait until tomorrow (Saturday)."
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With United's injury list currently showing no signs of reducing in size, the last thing they need is another addition to it. The squad is becoming stretched and Amorim is currently finding himself unable to make the changes he needs to.
Patrick Dorgu also joined the list of absentees in midweek after being sent-off in the 3-2 win over Ipswich for a nasty challenge on Omari Hutchinson. He will now serve a three-game domestic ban.
Despite his dismissal and his contribution to the defensive mix up that led to Ipswich's opening goal on Wednesday night, the positives have outweighed the negatives at the start of his United career. He has added balance to United's left side and a much-needed left-footed presence.
United made it their mission to recruit a left-sided wing-back in January and Dorgu, particularly in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Everton, demonstrated why he was chosen. He has the athletic profile and attacking capabilities that Amorim needs from his wing-backs in his trademark 3-4-2-1 system.
However, the United chief is going to have to make do without Dorgu for the upcoming clashes against Fulham, Arsenal and Leicester City. With Luke Shaw still unavailable and Tyrell Malacia having gone out on loan, United are once again without a senior left-sided full-back/wing-back.
It means Diogo Dalot, just as he did following Dorgu's premature exit against Ipswich, will almost certainly start Sunday's cup clash at left wing-back. Noussair Mazraoui is likely to plug the gap he will leave at right wing-back.
Neither Mazraoui or Dalot have the credentials or capabilities to prosper as wing-backs in Amorim's system. They are not attack-minded enough to make an impact from the wing-back areas.
Dalot has been a good servant for United over the last seven years or so and Mazraoui has had a solid debut season in England, but neither of them suit the wing-back roles. It is a far from ideal situation for the duo or Amorim.
Amorim has made it crystal clear that he will not abandon his preferred formation amid United's poor results under his stewardship thus far, meaning he is unlikely to alter his plans in the absence of a natural wing-back for the next three domestic matches.
The addition of Dorgu last month highlighted United's need to sign a player of a similar profile on the right amid Dalot's and Mazraoui's unsuitability to the wing-back berths. It has to be a priority this summer.
But with Dalot once again poised to revert back to his unnatural flank, it also highlights the need for United to find a like-for-like competitor for Dorgu on the left.
Of course, United are going to have a long wish list ahead of this summer's transfer window, with Amorim wanting to make multiple changes to the squad to fine-tune it to his needs. However, all of those individual objectives are not going to be achievable in just one window.
But with the structure and execution of Amorim's philosophy and system revolving around the wing-backs, a lot of the focus needs to be on strengthening that particular area of the team.
Sunday afternoon's starting line-up may just hammer home its importance.
