Manchester United's makeshift backline was a key reason behind the club's 1-0 loss to visiting Arsenal on Sunday, according to Erik ten Hag.
The United manager has been dealing with a spate of injuries in recent matches, leading to a number of players being used out of their preferred positions. The most notable such case is Casemiro, the Brazilian central midfielder who was employed alongside Jonny Evans in central defence against the Gunners on Sunday.
The duo were exposed in the 20th minute when Kai Havertz made his way into the United penalty area and slid across a pass that was tapped into the net by a charging Leandro Trossard. It was the game's only goal and assured Arsenal the three points they were desperate to take with them as they are embroiled in a heated Premier League title race with United's arch-rivals Manchester City.
For Ten Hag, the lack of natural cover for the backline was a major component in the loss.
"We've talked all season about this," he told BBC Sport. "To have a backline who play together regularly and have routines is obviously better.
"You need players who have confidence to play there, we have players playing in positions who are not used to them and then you make mistakes.
"At a high level you are punished. Or you have to play players who are not fit. That's the situation we are in."
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