Manchester United could be without Chris Smalling through injury for this weekend’s game at home to West Ham.

The Guardian are reporting that Louis van Gaal is sweating on the fitness of Chris Smalling due to a leg injury.

Both Phil Jones and Jonny Evans are ruled out indefinitely due to injury, whilst Tyler Blackett is suspended following his red card in the defeat at Leicester City last weekend.  These, along with Smalling are the four defenders to have played centre-back in the Premier League this season.

Should Smalling not be fit in time for Saturday’s 3pm kickoff at Old Trafford it will leave van Gaal desperately short of defenders.

Michael Carrick has played centre-back previously but the former England international has only just returned to training following an ankle injury.  His chances of playing are limited.

One option would be to hand Luke Shaw his debut at left-back and to move Marcos Rojo into the centre for this game.  It would leave the left side of the United defence inexperienced but desperate times call for desperate measures.

Daley Blind also has experience at playing in defence and is a versatile player.

The newspaper goes on to say that 19-year defender Paddy McNair could be promoted from the under-21 squad to start against West Ham this weekend.

McNair has yet to make his first team debut but has been on the books at Old Trafford for three years.

Manchester United are unable to recall Michael Keane from his loan spell at Burnley.