Chelsea rally might have given Erik ten Hag his first-choice Manchester United defence

In the last five games Manchester United have started with three different left-backs, including a right-back playing out of position, and at least five players have started games in that position this season, but after the win against Chelsea the picture should be a little clearer for Erik ten Hag.

Injuries have clouded the picture on that flank this season, but there has been plenty of muddled thinking as well. Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat have both played left-back, while Diogo Dalot has started five games at left-back and Sergio Reguilon, signed on deadline day to solve an injury crisis, has started just six times.

Luke Shaw, now back fit, is United's best left-back but with Lisandro Martinez injured there is a desire to play him at centre-back, where his left-footed passing can help with the build-up. He is also a more proactive defender than Lindelof, who didn't do enough to stop Cole Palmer's run across the United box in the lead-up to his goal on Wednesday night.

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United had been the better side in the first half of that game, but they also rode their luck at times. The midfield was bypassed too easily and Lindelof and Harry Maguire were swamped at times. To solve matters, Ten Hag moved Shaw inside and bought Reguilon on to play left-back.

The use of Reguilon has been perplexing so far this season, given to most observers he has been reliable when he has played, especially considering his lack of football recently when joining on loan from Tottenham on deadline day.

In his 45 minutes on the pitch, the Spaniard certainly made an impact against Chelsea. He made four