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Manchester United’s backline has been ravaged by injuries this season, and the situation has served as a timely reminder to INEOS about reinforcing that position in the summer.

First, it was Matthijs de Ligt, who suffered an injury in November. The club’s best performer in the first half of the campaign, the Dutchman, who was initially pencilled to return after a week, has ended up being sidelined for over five months.

All indications point towards the Netherlands international missing the entire season.

Lisandro Martinez, who missed the first four months of the season with an ACL injury, returned and was just starting to hit form when he suffered a calf injury.

Injury crisis at the back

Again, the club believed he would only be missing in action for one game. The Argentine has ended up on the treatment table for five games now.

When on form, the pair are the club’s best defenders, but their injury record is far from impressive and it would be a mistake for the Red Devils to place their trust in the duo moving forward.

Harry Maguire agreeing a new short-term deal does negate the need for an immediate backup, but...