Manchester United’s already beleaguered defensive line suffered a significant blow during their dramatic 4-3 defeat to Chelsea on Thursday night, as both Jonny Evans and Raphaël Varane were forced off the pitch due to injuries.

Varane was the first casualty, requiring a substitution just before halftime, which led to Evans being thrust into action.

However, Evans’ stint was short-lived, as he too fell victim to injury within a mere 20 minutes of his introduction.

With Lisandro Martínez and Victor Lindelof already sidelined for the next month, manager Erik ten Hag now finds himself grappling with a severely depleted pool of center-back options ahead of the impending showdown with Liverpool.

Harry Maguire and rising star Willy Kambwala stand as the only fit central defenders at Ten Hag’s disposal, potentially leaving Manchester United vulnerable and providing Liverpool with an opportunity to exploit any defensive frailties at Old Trafford.

Reflecting on the setbacks suffered at Stamford Bridge, Ten Hag openly acknowledged the detrimental impact of losing Evans and Varane, though he conceded uncertainty regarding their availability for Sunday’s crucial fixture.

In a post-match interview, Ten Hag lamented, “That doesn’t help in such moments if you have to manage the game, [it helps] that there are leaders on the pitch. Also Casemiro we have to take off. That doesn’t help.

They know how to deal [with pressure] and how to bring the win over the line. I can’t tell now what it is in prospect of Sunday but we have to take them both off.”

Addressing concerns about Varane’s fitness for the upcoming clash against Liverpool, Ten Hag admitted, “In this moment, I don’t know. I can’t help.”

Adding to the injury woes plaguing Manchester United, Anthony Martial remains sidelined following groin surgery that sidelined him in December, while Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are also unavailable due to their respective injuries, further compounding the team’s selection dilemmas.