Manchester United Defenders

[Football Hero]

I think he got something in first match vs Bournemouth.

That was Martial.

[math!]

A Chelsea defender along with someone like Coleman, Walker/Rose would be a better choice than Valencia in my opinion.

[danzku]

A new CB coming in January? http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/20/mancheste ... a-6334306/

[Stemania]

Another right footer, but I think he plays as LCB usually if my memory serves.

Presumably Lindelof and Bailly are the long term plan, but I personally see Rojo's place as the one most under threat in the short term. I hope so anyway, as Jones is my current planned transfer.

[Paulista]

Mourinho no longer interested in Lindelof, apparently due to the form of Jones/Rojo - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38450944

[MoSe]

Lindelof: solid as a rock, slow as a rock.
Really big club materal? Really?

[Stemania]

So with Bailly returning from AFCON earlier than expected (though apparently not ready for the FA Cup this weekend according to Mourinho - perhaps back next GW?) who are United fans expecting the CB partnership to be going forward?

One of Jones and Rojo/Smalling to miss out to Bailly? If so, which one? For me I see (hope) Jones is the most likely to retain, but I'm definitely a concerned owner.

[redcanuck]

Lindelof: solid as a rock, slow as a rock.
Really big club materal? Really?

Similar to a lot of very good CB'S over the years. Kind of like the traditional CB's England used to produce.

[redcanuck]

So with Bailly returning from AFCON earlier than expected (though apparently not ready for the FA Cup this weekend according to Mourinho - perhaps back next GW?) who are United fans expecting the CB partnership to be going forward?

One of Jones and Rojo/Smalling to miss out to Bailly? If so, which one? For me I see (hope) Jones is the most likely to retain, but I'm definitely a concerned owner.

If it helps Jones, Smalling and Bailly are right footed, Rojo is left footed. Of course that may or not make a difference.

[cesc408]

Tough to call. I thought Bailly and Smalling would have been the no.1 partnership at the start of the season, Smalling was then benched, Bailly was then injured. Now it's Rojo and Jones who have been good as a partnership.

Who knows, Think Valencia is the only defender we can say is 1st choice atm.

[TheoRiginal]

Only reason I didn't go for Jones was that Smalling is now back. I've had enough inexplicably dropped players this season to last me a life time.

Mourinho has stated in a press conference that he's sticking with the Rojo and Jones partnership for the rest of the month so..

...that means Bailly will be back in at the start of February.

[Pulpy]

Smalling and Rojo start in what looks to be a second string Man Utd team against Wigan in the cup.

[MartyBhoy7]

Jones or Rojo more nailed on?

[Paulista]

Jones is more nailed in my opinion because he was rested for the FA Cup match.

[Stemania]

Phil Jones 55th min injury was a bruised foot apparently (rather than the rumoured hamstring I'm sure I saw somewhere) and he expects to be back imminently. I don't know if that is good news or bad news for us owners with two potential blanks on the near horizon.

I love owning Phil Jones. But I also hate owning Phil Jones.

[Paulista]

So giving this a bump now that Jones seems to be back, having played the last two League games, what is Man United's first choice defence now? Or are all subject to rotation?

[Stemania]

I've already got Valencia, but I can hear Big Phil whispering my name yet again. Only 4.7m you say? Similarly priced Funes Mori/Holebas just dropped from their teams you say? Oh no, hello darkness my old friend.

I'd prefer two defenders/GK plus Ibra for DGW34 to guessing a second United attacker for sure. Mourinho seems to pick a random set of attacking mids every week - if his first name was Pep he'd be getting slaughtered.

[Paulista]

Yes I was also thinking FunisMori to Jones this week.

It looked like United actually played 3-5-2 yesterday and Jones was selected ahead of Rojo but I don't know if they will revert back to 4 and if Smalling/Bailey would get the nod.

[Cornish Gooner]

I owned Jones for a lengthy period up until his injury and unless I'm mistaken he didn't miss a single game through rotation. Seems to me if he's fit he starts (league). Smalling having a shocker yesterday can only strengthen his place. I'm looking at getting him back in for Brunt.

[Turd Ferguson]

I owned Jones for a lengthy period up until his injury and unless I'm mistaken he didn't miss a single game through rotation. Seems to me if he's fit he starts (league). Smalling having a shocker yesterday can only strengthen his place. I'm looking at getting him back in for Brunt.

Smalling was out of favor and Bailly had an injury when Jones got his run. Hard to say for sure. I own Valencia and he's the only one I trust to play every game or near to it.

[Bolt]

Smalling was out of favor and Bailly had an injury when Jones got his run. Hard to say for sure. I own Valencia and he's the only one I trust to play every game or near to it.

In a nutshell. Fergie knows.

[Nailer6245]

United fan here, have watched every game this year, Valencia is the only nailed on defender.

Given the insane fixtures (9 games in April alone) even he bears some risk, but I wouldn't go near the others for the moment. Worth monitoring if Jose keeps up this three-at-the-back defensive strategy or one of the CBs gets injured, but that's it for now.

[Cornish Gooner]

United fan here, have watched every game this year, Valencia is the only nailed on defender.

Given the insane fixtures (9 games in April alone) even he bears some risk, but I wouldn't go near the others for the moment. Worth monitoring if Jose keeps up this three-at-the-back defensive strategy or one of the CBs gets injured, but that's it for now.

Interesting, thanks for the insight. I was looking at taking the cheaper option of Jones over Valencia but I'm coming round to the fact that Valencia is more secure and worth the extra outlay. Would you say De gea is completely nailed for all league games or is there a chance even he could get a rest?

[Paulista]

That's good insight, cheers. I think I'll leave Jones for the moment then and look elsewhere for a Funis Mori replacement.

[Razzler]

If anything, he gives Romero a run out in the UEFA Cup so seems like DDG should be nailed on for the league games

[mpok3]

Looking like Jones is out... I reckon the starting lineup will be:
Rojo - Smalling (if fit) - Bailly - Valencia
OR
Blind - Rojo - Bailly - Valencia

What do you think?

Minutes played since GW10 attached.

[Ironfist]

Chris Smalling has been pictured wearing a right leg brace after suffering an injury while on international duty with England

[mpok3]

Chris Smalling has been pictured wearing a right leg brace after suffering an injury while on international duty with England

Pretty much likely to be the following then:
Blind - Rojo - Bailly - Valencia

With Blind/Valencia perhaps rotating with Darmian/Shaw.

[redcat1]

Wouldn't Blind be required in midfield ? a few players missing there also

[mpok3]

I am perhaps forgetting Mr Utility himself, Ashley Young.
I don't think Blind's played in midfield once this season.
They should be ok in midfield - Mata, Mkhitaryan, Lindgard, Martial, Young, Carrick (Fellaini a bit injured & Herrera back 4th Nov).