Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw looks back to his best

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Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw looks back to his best following an imperious display in last night’s 2-1 win against Everton.

Having replaced Tyrell Malacia at half-time in each of United’s last two matches, Erik ten Hag recalled the 27-year-old to his starting line-up for last night’s trip to Goodison Park.

As much as the former Feyenoord man has struggled in his last two outings, Shaw, who drew praise from Ten Hag for his performances for England during last month’s UEFA Nations League games, has responded to being dropped in exemplary fashion.

The start against the Toffees was Shaw’s first for United since being hauled off at half-time when trailing Brentford 4-0 at half-time back in mid-August.

Luke Shaw looks back to his best

The former Southampton youngster looks leaner, meaner and quicker since being dropped and replaced by Malacia.

United’s number 23 seemingly relishes playing behind his club and international teammate Marcus Rashford.

Unlike Malacia and Jadon Sancho currently, Rashford and Shaw have a really good understanding and awareness of how one and other plays.

Playing against talented England Under-21 international Anthony Gordon under the lights at Goodison Park, Shaw could have had a difficult evening against the Evertonian, but Shaw bullied the winger and didn’t give him a sniff.

Shaw dominated and frustrated Everton’s number ten, and he looked to relish and enjoy the duels against his compatriot.

His performance on Merseyside was in the ilk of the displays he showed with great regularity in the 2020-21 campaign before going on to shine at the European Championships.

Unlike at the start of the season where Shaw was lacklustre and looked half a yard sharp of sharpness – since coming back into the side he’s snapping into tackles and bombing forward and looking to overlap Rashford at every opportunity.

Similar to how Malacia couldn’t prevent Phil Foden breaking away and scoring Manchester City’s fourth, Shaw couldn’t stop Byran Mbeumo doing the same for Brentford’s fourth in August.

But last night when Everton or Gordon threatened to counter, Shaw showed blistering recovery speed to not only get back into position but win the ball back for his side.

It’s testament to Ten Hag’s man management skills that Shaw accepted that his performances weren’t up to scratch, and he’s worked hard to get himself back into the side.

For the first time since joining United, Shaw has stiff competition for the left-back berth and the competition with Malacia is only going to push and benefit the duo.

But there is no denying Luke Shaw looks back to his best and that is a massive boost for Manchester United and England.