Right-Back - Chris Smalling
Regular right-back Rafael has had a torrid time of things this season, with an ankle injury limiting him to just three Premier League appearances. That's unfortunate for both the Brazilian and United, who have had to make do recently by pressing centre-back Chris Smalling into an unfamiliar fullback role. To be fair on Smalling, he has coped admirably with his new-found position, particularly against Arsenal prior to the international break, helping to keep the Gunners out. And he will likely retain his place against Leverkusen on Wednesday, and another Champions League appearance won't do his World Cup hopes any harm at all.
Joseph Dempsey
Contributor
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
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