How Man United's defence could line-up in FA Cup semi-final vs Brighton amid injury crisis as Phil Jones absence explained

This weekend Manchester United head to Wembley with just one available senior centre-back with Brighton waiting for them in the FA Cup semi-final.

This time last week, United had a full-strength centre-back pair available heading into the season's most pivotal moments. Fast-forward to today and Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are both now out for the foreseeable future, after both sustained injuries on the same night against Sevilla.

Varane went off at half-time and will miss a couple of weeks but should return for the final few games. Meanwhile, Martinez won’t return until pre-season as he fractured his fifth metatarsal, missing up to eight weeks. Therefore, coupled with Harry Maguire’s FA Cup suspension, Erik ten Hag’s side have been left short at the back ahead of the semi-final against a team Pep Guardiola has already heaped praise upon this season.

READ MORE: Ten Hag shows he trusts Eriksen in more ways than one

The Man City boss called the Seagulls the “best in the world” at build-up play, this added to their frightening attack, is a major cause of concern for United. With Victor Lindelof’s inclusion seemingly a shoo-in, Ten Hag will have to think outside of the box to fill the gap.

Phil Jones who is somehow still at the club isn’t an option due to the fact he has been unable to complete a training session all season. This begs the question, who will fill in as a makeshift partner for the Swedish international come Sunday?

Here are two possible solutions to Ten Hag’s predicament...

Casemiro has filled in at centre-back before this season, in the fourth round of the League Cup against Burnley and while he helped keep a clean sheet, Brighton may be a step too far but he could be an option to partner Lindelof