Manchester United’s defensive woes deepened on Wednesday when Chris Smalling was at the centre of an injury scare.
Smalling is understood to have hurt his thigh during training ahead of Saturday’s Premier League game against West Ham at Old Trafford.
United will assess his condition on Thursday and boss Luis Van Gaal is eager to see if the England defender is fit to play.
Smalling’s injury might leave United without a natural centre back on Saturday with Phil Jones out with a hamstring problem, Jonny Evans out with an ankle problem and Tyler Blackett on suspension.
The extent of his injury is yet to be determined and United are hoping he recovers quickly so that he can play alongside Marcos Rojo in another new centreback pairing against the Hammers.