Jose Mourinho is facing another major defensive headache ahead of Wednesday’s crucial league game against in-form Arsenal as the problems continue to mount for the embattled Manchester United manager.

United could be without as many as eight defenders for the visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford as they bid to close an eight-point gap to the north London club in fourth.

Mourinho chose to play midfielders Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic in defence in Saturday’s disappointing 2-2 draw at Southampton, with Phil Jones his only match fit centre-half.

But Jones is now undergoing a scan on an injury sustained in that game, Luke Shaw had to come off after sustaining a second-half injury and Ashley Young’s fifth booking of the season means he will miss the Arsenal match through suspension. Sweden defender Victor Lindelof, meanwhile, was already sidelined until Christmas.

Mourinho will hope central defenders Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling, who missed the Southampton game with back and foot problems respectively, and full-backs Antonio Valencia and Matteo Darmian – who were also absent with knocks – are able to declare themselves available or risk having to improvise with his back line again.