Manchester United have been without Matthijs de Ligt since the end of November when he suffered a back problem.
Manchester United have suffered several defensive injury problems this season, beginning with Noussair Mazraoui missing the start of the campaign after picking up an injury in the first game of pre-season against Leeds United.
While the Moroccan is back now, he was forced to play in central defensive last time out, with both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martínez suspended. Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro were also out injured.
Maguire was suspended for one match due to a late shirt pull against AFC Bournemouth, but was forced to sit out against Chelsea due to misconduct when walking off the pitch after his red card. Martínez was also suspended for the Chelsea match due to a hair pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin against Leeds United. The Reds appealed the decision, but that has now been rejected.
Yoro suffered a knock in training that could keep him out of the Brentford match on Monday evening, while De Ligt's fitness remains somewhat unknown.
The Dutchman first withdrew from the United squad in late November, having played every Premier League minute until then, but has not been seen since, despite Rúben Amorim's words.
"For Matta, it is a small thing. I expect to have Matthijs next game." And yet he has now missed 16 games in all competitions.
United provide De Ligt update
With fans concerned about his fitness, Manchester United have provided an update on De Ligt's situation, while saying he remains "upbeat" and "focused" on returning to full fitness.
On Thursday afternoon, De Ligt was pictured working on his own away from the main group, but back on grass running. This is usually the last step players make before reintegrating with the team.
United have not put a time scale on when the former Ajax defender could return, seemingly to not put pressure on him.
Michael Carrick is yet to have De Ligt available to him and would likely love to have him as an option now, especially with Martínez and Yoro still unavailable.
The uncomfortable conversation United must have
United look set to return to the Champions League next season - they have just five games left to play and are eight points clear of the Europa League spots - so the mood will be overwhelmingly positive in what is set to be a busy summer for the club.
The biggest priorities are central midfield and the head coach situation, while left-wingers and left-backs also seem to be on the transfer list. However, United may be forced to add central defenders to their priority list, too.
In 2007/08, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic played 51 and 45 games, respectively, as per TransferMarkt. This season, it is difficult to determine who United's starting options are, with so many injury issues among the centre-backs at the club.
United must solve this issue before the beginning of next season, or they will risk defensive instability and frequent errors in what could be a 60+ game campaign.
That could mean discussing the possibilities of moving on at least one of Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martínez.