Luke Shaw has just doubled his chances of earning a Manchester United contract extension

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Manchester United handed a short-term extension to Luke Shaw last month, as one of four players who saw their options exercised by a further 12 months.

This was just United looking to protect their options, while the club work out whether to offer Shaw a long-term deal, and at what cost.

Shaw, 27, has been at Manchester United since 2014 and earns £150,000 per week, report The Guardian.

The outlet reported last March that Shaw was keen to earn a new extension at United, but so far there has been no agreement, with manager Erik ten Hag previously pausing all negotiations.

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Shaw has increased chance of extension

Luke Shaw entered this season under pressure with Erik ten Hag handpicking a new left-back, Tyrell Malacia.

The two have split playing time this season, but Shaw is still a high quality performer, as he has shown in recent months, also securing his place as England’s first choice left-back.

But it is the events of the past week which have really worked out well in Shaw’s favour, increasing his chances of a contract extension.

Shaw has stepped in as a temporary centre-back, excelling to keep clean sheets in back to back victories.

Erik ten Hag has been hugely impressed, saying that it looked like Shaw had been playing the position his whole career.

Shaw could end up transitioning to the position permanently later in his career, or simply just being used as cover – but having this extra string to his bow makes him immensely more valuable.

Malacia is expected to develop and improve at left-back, while promising youngster Alvaro Fernandez will return stronger after his loan spell at Preston.

Both players will threaten the left-back berth for Shaw, so United were right to hesitate over an expensive extension.

However, considering his quality at centre-back, there is now double the reason to hand Shaw a new deal.

His quality at both positions is likely to continue to be highly useful for Manchester United in the years ahead.