There was one combination Manchester United fans desperately did not want to see against Arsenal, the defensive partnership of Casemiro and Jonny Evans.
Erik ten Hag said late last week that Lisandro Martinez would not be risked just yet, despite returning to training.
So this left Manchester United stuck with the Casemiro and Evans pairing.
The one surprise was the presence of young centre-back Willy Kambwala on the bench.
Willy Kambwala was a late substitute
Willy Kambwala looked like getting a run in the side amid a defensive crisis, until he then suffered an injury in training.
United did not disclose the nature of his injury and it was a minor shock to see him back on the bench.
Yet, this brought questions over why if he was ready to be among the substitutes, why he was not selected to start the game.
Paul Merson told Sky Sports after the match, first recounting his own playing experiences: “I wanted to play football, I wasn’t gonna listen someone else [medics] tell me that I can’t play, I’m gonna play. And this is the problem.
“If I’m not playing today and I’m the centre-half, Willy Kambwala, if I can’t, if I’m sub and I’m playing behind Jonny Evans and Casemiro, what’s the point in being here?”
The decision not to select Kambwala appears to be a manager decision, rather than a medical one, as he would not have been cleared to play if unfit.
Kambwala did come on for the final 15 minutes plus stoppage time, and looked solid, putting in one particularly impressive crunching tackle.
Peter Schmeichel also questioned Kambwala call
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel had also questioned the call to leave Willy Kambwala on the bench, speaking before the game.
The legendary goalkeeper asked: “Casemiro can’t play centre-back, he was exposed on Monday night so why don’t you put a proper centre-half like Willy Kambwala in there rather than on the bench.”
Kambwala at least should be back in the line-up against Newcastle United this coming week.
Lisandro Martinez is closing in on a return too. The rest are in a race against time to be back in time for the FA Cup final.