Manchester United's right-back dilemma

With Wes Brown's Manchester United future still in severe jeopardy and club captain Gary Neville's seemingly endless struggle to regain match fitness, the Red Devils could well be in danger of starting next season without a right-back. So what options will Ferguson be looking to consider if worse comes to worse?

Ideally, Ferguson will be hoping that Brown's agent, Paul Martin, will take a step back from ensuring his client meets his own excessive wage demands - thought to be in the region of over £50,000 per week. Although a long-term servant of the club, at 28-years-old and having finally established himself as the first choice United right-back in Neville's absence, Brown's failure to sign on the dotted line for another several seasons is a baffling one. With Aston Villa, West Ham and Newcastle United all reportedly interested, the England defender will not be short of takers, but it's also unlikely that he'll enjoy success on the same scale away from Old Trafford.

At 33-years-old, Gary Neville appears to be edging nearer to the winter of his career. After breaking his ankle 11 months ago, his road to recovery has been long and arduous and despite several reserve team outings, there's no guarantee the aging defender will be as reliable as he was pre-injury. There's no questioning the United captain's desire and determination to get back into the fold, but although his heart and mind might feel one way about regaining his place at right back, his body will be telling him differently. Like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it's likely to be that if Neville is ever to properly return, it'd only be a matter of time before another injury finally forces him to hang up his boots.

As a result, Ferguson is likely to be considering his options of bringing new blood into United's defence. After Alan Hutton's move to Tottenham in January, the 66-year-old may have to look further afield if he's to bring in a replacement worthy of the position Gary Neville made his own for club and country for more than a decade.

Such is the success that Patrice Evra has enjoyed since his arrival from AS Monaco two years ago, the Manchester United manager might search for a full-back in a similar mould to the Frenchman. Bayern Munich's Philipp Lahm is a player who has reportedly caught the Scot's attention. After being criticised by Franz Beckenbauer for, in his view, failing to emulate the impressive form shown during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, Lahm's future with the German giant's has been questioned. However, it's likely that United will face stiff competition from Barcelona who are keeping close tabs on the situation.

Another possibility is 17-year-old Brazilian Rafael. He, along with his his twin brother, Fabio, have been snapped up by Ferguson with high long-term hopes for both of them. The twins who have been labelled 'the new Neville brothers' - solely because they are brothers at Manchester United - are both attack minded full-backs who have shown signs of being blessed with the same Samba flair which catapulted Sevilla's Daniel Alves to stardom and which helped cement Cafu's status as World Cup legend. Both love to fly forward and get at the opposition's defence, but only time will tell how they cope in the Premier League.

Rafael will be eligible to play for United from the start of next season, but is unlikely to cement his place in the first team for at least another couple of seasons yet. However, like his Brazilian compatriot Anderson, success is not beyond the realms of possibility, particularly when the right-back spot is up for grabs.

Elsewhere Danny Simpson is a player who has shown promise. A local lad from Salford, the 21-year-old could feature more in the coming months if Brown is to continue to stall over the offer of a new contract. Ferguson is fully aware of the importance of bringing through local talent who share the same passion and mentality as many of the fans, and Simpson has also been tagged as a potential successor to Neville.

So the coming few months will reveal the answer to many questions. Has Gary Neville has played his final game for the club? Will Brown be plying his trade away from Old Trafford next season? And if the answer to these questions is 'yes', just who will be the man called upon to complement Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra in United's back four?