Louis van Gaal Facing Dilemma as Smalling, Jones, Evans Fight for 1st-Team Spot

There have been times this season, more than a few in fact, when Manchester United fans have found themselves missing Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand.

There were Saturdays not so long ago when there was no point trying to guess who would be playing at the back because Ferdinand and Vidic were already on the team sheet.

United's defensive vulnerability has highlighted the fact that they're not at Old Trafford anymore, and that it's difficult to replace players who were not only two of the best defenders in the world in their prime but who also made for a formidable partnership.

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It was almost certainly never planned that both Ferdinand and Vidic would leave at the same time, but that's what happened.

That said, United were supposed to have ready-made replacements waiting in Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, but that hasn't happened either.

All three have been unlucky with injuries, especially this season, but it's nearly six months since Ferdinand and Vidic left, and manager Louis van Gaal seems no closer to settling on a favoured centre-half partnership.

There was a time during Sir Alex Ferguson's last season in charge when it looked like Evans was already breaking up the Ferdinand-Vidic partnership. The Northern Irishman recovered from some shaky performances early in his career to start at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

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But that was nearly two year ago, and Evans hasn't progressed as much as he should have. Smalling is another one who hasn't kicked on. At 24, he's not a young player anymore, and inexperience can't excuse mistakes forever.

Jones' development as a centre-back hasn't been helped by spells at right-back and in midfield. Van Gaal wants Jones to play as a centre-half, but a hamstring injury has stopped the 22-year-old from cementing a place in the team so far this season.

Jones and Smalling are back in training following their latest injury setbacks; Evans is a little bit further away from a return. With Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal on the horizon, United are preparing to face their first real tests of the season.

Van Gaal will want his best players for the biggest games, so the Dutchman is left with a choice of Jones, Smalling and Evans to partner Marcos Rojo at the back.

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Jones and Smalling were bought as long-term replacements for Ferdinand and Vidic. Evans will have fancied his chances of becoming a regular this season, too. However, injures have prevented a new first-choice partnership emerging from the group. There may not be room for any of them if Van Gaal decides his problems at the back can only be solved in the January transfer window.

You'll only know United's defensive issues have been remedied when the fans stop talking about Vidic and Ferdinand. Jones, Smalling and Evans still have a chance to help them move on, but time is running out.