Erik ten Hag has new short-term solution to Man United selection problem after Brighton win

With no Lisandro Martinez or Raphael Varane, Manchester United were short on centre-back options for the FA Cup semi-final clash with Brighton at Wembley. Not only were the Reds' first-choice defenders both out injured but club captain Harry Maguire was also suspended for the clash.

It is unclear if Ten Hag would have selected the England international after his difficult evening in Seville on Thursday night, but given the decision was taken out of his hands, he didn't even need to contemplate it. The Dutchman was without three senior centre-backs, and yet, that was United's strongest area on the pitch on Sunday.

Victor Lindelof was always going to start given the lack of options, and Luke Shaw - having played six matches as a centre-back prior to the clash with the Seagulls - was an obvious pick alongside the Swede. The fluidity of Brighton's attack had the potential to give the pair real issues, but both defenders were excellent against Roberto De Zerbi's men.

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The Reds required penalties to eventually overcome their Premier League rivals, but with an FA Cup final against bitter rivals Manchester City to come in early June, very few people are going to remember their route to Wembley. It will be the first time in history the two clubs have met in a domestic final, and with silverware on the line, it will mean even more to everyone associated with the teams.

Brighton, in general, like their striker to drop deep and support the midfielder. The Seagulls had success with that in the opening stages of the game, but Shaw, to his credit, acknowledged the tactic and began to step into midfield on occasions. It allowed Casemiro to better