Three ways Manchester United could line up vs Crystal Palace after Harry Maguire injury

Manchester United have been rocked by the loss of Harry Maguire to injury ahead of tonight's Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

United issued a statement yesterday afternoon to confirm the centre-back has sustained a muscle injury. The club has said he is set to be unavailable for 'about three weeks'.

Maguire has resurrected his United career this season, so much so he is a genuine contender for the club's Player of the Season award. He has led by example in recent weeks, playing through the pain barrier against the likes of Bournemouth and Coventry City.

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However, he now joins a long list of defenders who are currently unavailable, adding more unwanted upheaval to manager Erik ten Hag's plate. Jonny Evans is set to be the only centre-back available this evening, with the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Willy Kambwala all still missing.

With that in mind, MEN Sport has had a close look at three ways United could potentially line up without Maguire at Selhurst Park.

The most likely solution

For each of United's last three games, Maguire has been the only available senior centre-back, meaning Casemiro has joined him in the heart of the defence. Tonight, should Evans be deemed fit enough to start, it is highly likely he will trade places with Maguire and Casemiro will stay in the backline.

Casemiro has been extracted from midfield in recent weeks and tasked with deputising as an emergency centre-back, resulting in upheaval in United's midfield. The Reds, of course, are sweating over the availability of Bruno Fernandes ahead of tonight's game, meaning the prospect of being without him as well means the midfield three could have a very different look to it.

Should Casemiro start at centre-back and Fernandes misses out, Mason Mount and Christian Eriksen could join Kobbie Mainoo in the engine room. Mount has not started a Premier League game for United since October 7.

Fernandes wins his fitness battle

A centre-back partnership of Casemiro and Evans is likely to remain unchanged in this scenario, but Fernandes winning his respective fitness battle would give Ten Hag a much-needed boost. If available, the Portuguese ace will start at the tip of the engine room.

If that proves to be the case, it is highly likely Eriksen will start alongside Mainoo in one of the two deeper midfield roles to add a little more balance. The Dane has started the last two league games.

Mount, however, has cited the No.8 role as his preferred position, meaning he will be eager to start at Eriksen's expense in this particular scenario. Mainoo, whatever the situation, is almost guaranteed a starting berth.

Ten Hag hands out a debut

After making the bench for each of United's last three matches, youngster Louis Jackson will be dreaming of making his United debut this evening. Amid the club's ongoing defensive crisis in recent weeks, the 18-year-old was promoted to the bench for the FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City at Wembley and remained on it for the clashes with Sheffield United and Burnley.

The youngster, who does not turn 19 until September, has predominantly played for the Under-18s this season. He has also racked up seven appearances in the Premier League 2 for the Under-21s.

If Ten Hag decides he wants to restore Casemiro to midfield for an extra sense of grit and defensive nous, Jackson is the most logical candidate to partner Evans. At this stage of the season, and with so much on the line, it could be a huge gamble.