Ten Hag has hardly been able to pick his best back four at Man Utd this season

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has only been able to pick his first-choice defence on two occasions this season, with injury issues one again piling up.

Mail Sport revealed on Wednesday that left-back Luke Shaw could be out for the rest of the season after picking up his latest injury that saw him withdrawn at half time of the Red Devils' 2-1 win over Luton at the weekend.

Shaw has been limited to just 15 appearances this season as he's dealt with numerous injury issues, and finds himself sweating over being fit in time for the summer's European Championships having picked up a leg injury.

He's not the only United defender that has struggled to get on the pitch this season, however. Lisandro Martinez has made just 10 appearances - playing 740 minutes - resulting in a headache for Ten Hag.

United have had a difficult campaign in what has been the Dutchman's second season in charge, but haven't been helped by the rarity of their first-choice defence being available for selection.

Both game the quartet have started together have been wins, with an FA Cup victory over Newport coming prior to the 4-3 win over Wolves earlier this month.

Regular absences have forced the likes of Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof to step up and deputise, with Ten Hag often having to re-shuffle his defence to find solutions regarding a line-up.

Lindelof has at times appeared uncomfortable at left-back, but, with Tyrell Malacia a long-term absentee and Sergio Reguilon's loan cancelled, there is no obvious back-up to Shaw.

And Shaw has been a big miss. His 1.2 chances created per 90 this season is the best of any of United's defenders, and, in a Red Devils side that has at time struggled for goals, his creativity will be missed.

Diego Dalot and