Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's problems in the right-back area continued during the Red Devils' Sunday night clash away at in-form Fulham.
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka drastically out of favour and first-choice right-back Diogo Dalot suspended, the United manager was left with little choice but to entrust Tyrell Malacia in the role. A left-back by trade, the young Dutchman seriously struggled at times - his inexperience in the position was clear to see.
United's right-sided wide-forward Anthony Elanga played like a man instructed to help out as much as he could defensively to try and protect Malacia, but it didn't always unfold as Ten Hag may have planned. Fulham knew which area they could get the most joy out of and targeted United's right-defensive flank throughout.
There were a number of times the likes of Willian and Antonee Robinson managed to get the better of Malacia and had it not been for some pretty wasteful crosses, Fulham could have punished the young defender even further.
The fact that Malacia has been selected in a position he isn't used to is already a damning indictment of the £50million-man Wan-Bissaka, who has played just four minutes of football this term.
Initially ruled out with a back injury, Wan-Bissaka was an unused substitute for United's 1-0 away win over Real Sociedad in the Europa League earlier this month.
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However, the defender was then not named in the match-day squad for either of the Red Devils' games against Aston Villa and it appears clear that Ten Hag sees the £50m transfer as something of a mistake.
It has been widely reported that Ten Hag is keen on bringing in another right-back in the January transfer window to try and push Dalot for places, but The Telegraph report that the deal will only be made possible if United cash in on the struggling Wan-Bissaka to generate funds.
It remains unclear just how much United will aim to get as compensation for Wan-Bissaka's departure, but there have been limited suitors to date. The right-back's former side Crystal Palace were one club linked with a move for him.
Meanwhile, in terms of replacement right-backs, Bayer Leverkusen's Jeremie Frimpong has been linked as one candidate to arrive at Old Trafford and jostle for game-time with Dalot.
He has been catching the eye of a number of European clubs with his standout Bundesliga performances, but considering Frimpong's contract with the German side doesn't expire until 2025 he is unlikely to come for much cheaper than the £50m United forked out on Wan-Bissaka.
Malacia's display at Craven Cottage has only reinforced something needs to change for United in that position.
