Erik ten Hag has 'no concerns' about playing Luke Shaw at centre-back for Manchester United's match against Brighton in the semi-final of the FA Cup.
After crashing out of the Europa League against Sevilla earlier in the week, Ten Hag urged his players to respond in his pre-Brighton press conference, but he's been forced to pick a makeshift backline for the game due to injuries and a suspension.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane are currently sidelined with injuries and Harry Maguire is suspended for the semi-final clash, which means Victor Lindelof and Shaw are set to start in central defence at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
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They'll be supported by Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot at right-back and left-back respectively, whilst Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford have also returned to the starting line up after missing out against Sevilla in Spain.
United must respond against Brighton and Ten Hag, speaking to MUTV, explained his team selection ahead of kick-off.
"It doesn’t matter who plays, we have to win. Of course, it’s important when you have quality players, they can make a difference, all three," he said. "No [concerns about Shaw]. I think it’s the first time this partnership with Victor [is used] but he knows what to do.
"I think we prepared it very well. They know how to connect with each other to anticipate certain actions of Brighton, so I have faith in it. So it is the right solution. Everyone wants to be in so that tells something about the motivation and, of course, we have to bounce back. We had a really poor performance on Thursday night and this is a great opportunity.
"A semi-final; you can enter the final, but you have to earn it. I think it gives a good feeling when we enter the stadium [the memories of the Carabao Cup final], we had a great time here. But, of course, if we want to get it, we have to suffer.
"We have to play well organised, be brave and play with a lot of belief."
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