The idea of replacing Jake O'Brien in the Everton lineup is a strange task, simply because you can't be sure which version of the Irish international David Moyes would opt to imploy if the defender were availalbe.
Moyes has used O'Brien in 26 matches this season, including 24 starts. 22 of those matches saw him start or play the majority of the match at right back. Notably, the last time the Everton manager opted not to start O'Brien came against Manchester United back in November, but Seamus Coleman had to come off after 10 minutes and Idrissa Gana Gueye's red card came three minutes later.
The Toffees will face the Red Devils again on Monday at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and once again, O'Brien will not be in the starting lineup because of his late red card in the capitulation to Bournemouth two weeks ago.
That means Moyes will once again have to figure out how to replace one of his most consistent performers, and this time, O'Brien can't come off the bench in case of emergency.
With a generally healthy side, the Everton manager has options as to how to cover. Here are three ways he can get the job done.
Option 1: Mykolenko-Branthwaite-Tarkowski-Patterson
If this had happened a few weeks ago, there wouldn't have been options in terms of how to deploy the center backs. In this case, Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski hold their spots from the Bournemouth loss, with Vitalii Mykolenko at left back.
The main difference is that Nathan Patterson slides into O'Brien's vacated right back spot. The Scottish international had a solid run a few matches ago, but Moyes has abandoned the project in recent weeks.
One way or another, Everton will need to decide on Patterson's future, so giving him a chance to play on Monday feels like a good start.
Option 2: Mykolenko-Branthwaite-Tarkowski-Garner
James Garner stepped in very briefly at right back when Everton went down to 10 against Bournemouth, and, aside from the opening two matches (where he played left back), home to Fulham and away to the Cherries, Moyes has preferred to keep the newly extended midfielder in his natural position.
Even still, Moyes now has the numerical advantage in midfield with recent players returning from injury, and he could use those options -- including Merlin Rohl, Harrison Armstrong, and Tim Iroegbunam -- as an excuse to slide Garner into O'Brien's spot.
While it doesn't use Garner to the best of his ability, he's certainly more attack-minded than O'Brien, giving Moyes more freedom along that side of the pitch.
Option 3: Mykolenko-Branthwaite-Tarkowski-Coleman
Almost the same group that started the reverse fixure at Old Trafford, but Michael Keane loses his spot to Branthwaite.
Seamus Coleman hasn't played a minute since coming off due to injury in that match, so maybe Moyes opts to give the club captain another run.
It's the least likely outcome, given how little Coleman has played this year, but you can't rule it out completely.