Today I was challenged by a project manager to explain to the directors why a developer on my team has not delivered the functionality that is required for go live on Monday.

Because you only asked for it two days ago! Don't try to make one of our developers your a scapegoat because you forgot to ask for something until the last minute.

Cock end.

Tell the directors that

Extra bonus points for turning it into a power point presentation, using management speak and making it last 45 minutes.

@Jonnyforgotten don't really want to play the blame game. Would rather agree a plan on how best to deliver the solution.

Honestly? Do both.

@LynxMagnus I agree with @Ashkin, tell them what you have done in the 2 days since you were told about it, when you plan to have it done by and suggest ways it can be done fast if possible (i.e drop some functionality and move it to a future release). Otherwise it looks like you only just bothered to start it 2 days ago and you are going to get all the blame