Manchester United are dealing with a defensive crisis ahead of their trip to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening.
The Red Devils are currently third in the Premier League table and a victory would put them in pole position to secure UEFA Champions League football for next season.
They take on a Chelsea team who have looked bereft of confidence in recent weeks and they have suffered three consecutive defeats to hinder their own UEFA Champions League hopes.
Liam Rosenior's troops are four points behind fifth-placed Liverpool ahead of their final six league fixtures and they can ill afford any dropped points this weekend.
But their chances of ending their losing streak have been boosted by an injury crisis for Manchester United, which has scuppered their opponents' plans ahead of their trip to the capital.
Which centre-backs are missing?
Michael Carrick's side were beaten 2-1 at home by Leeds United on Monday night, with Argentinian defender Lisandro Martinez needlessly sent off for pulling Dominic Calvert-Lewin's hair in the second half.
Martinez is now suspended for three matches and he will also miss the upcoming home games against Brentford and Liverpool before he can return against Sunderland in May.
His main centre-back partner Harry Maguire is also banned this weekend after being handed an additional one-match suspension for improper conduct following his red card at Bournemouth.
Netherlands international Matthijs de Ligt remains sidelined with a back injury that has kept him out of action since the end of November.
In a further blow to United, Leny Yoro has not travelled to London and there are concerns that the 20-year-old could be ruled out for the rest of the season.
Who will play at centre-back?
The absence of the aforementioned quartet means that Ayden Heaven is the only recognised centre-back available this weekend.
19-year-old Heaven has impressed for the Red Devils and he has made 15 appearances for the club this season.
His inclusion is a certainty but Carrick will now be assessing his options to find a defensive partner for Hayden.
The most obvious solution appears to be Brazilian midfielder Casemiro who has occasionally dropped into the back four for the club before.
If Carrick is reluctant to move Casemiro from his central midfield role, Luke Shaw could be deployed at centre-back.
Shaw has played at centre-back for the club before but he has usually been part of a back three on those occasions.
Another solution could be to utilise Diogo Dalot as a makeshift centre-back, while 21-year-old Tyler Fredricson has not started since the EFL Cup defeat at Grimsby Town in August.
