Tottenham Hotspur legend Glenn Hoddle was impressed with Luke Shaw as Manchester United’s new-found utility man shone at centre-half once again during Thursday’s 2-2 Premier League draw.
It certainly doesn’t reflect all too well on Harry Maguire that Shaw – a left-back by trade – appears more comfortable in the centre than he does.
After producing a typically resilient rearguard performance during Sunday’s tense FA Cup semi-final stalemate with Brighton and Hove Albion, Shaw once again showcased the sort of versatility that would make Rory Kinnear blush; an outstanding first-half in particular earning him the admiration of a former England manager.
“Excellent defending,” Hoddle, who played nearly 500 games for Spurs in the 1970s and 1980s, tells BT Sport.
“(Shaw was) brilliant in the first-half, and he showed the pace he’s got. It’s deceptive.”
Luke Shaw stands out in Man United’s Tottenham draw
Manchester United have almost exclusively used a four-man backline since Erik ten Hag replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford. Hoddle, however, believes Shaw’s flexibility would be ideal for a wing-back system, the former Southampton starlet tailor-made for the left-sided centre-back role in a 3-4-3.
“I think he could be perfect in a three,” Hoddle adds. “If you ever wanted to play in a three.”
Tottenham fought back from 2-0 down to claim a hard-fought draw on home soil; Pedro Porro and Heung-Min Son cancelling out well-taken first-half strikes from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford.
Manchester United remain in fourth, however, in control of their own Champions League destiny. The gap between United and Spurs remains six points, and the Red Devils still have two games in hand.
Ten Hag’s side face an Aston Villa team with eight wins in 10 on Sunday. It remains to be seen if the Shaw – Victor Lindelof partnership continues against Ollie Watkins and co, with Maguire potentially set to return from injury this weekend.
“We have to look from game to game,” Ten Hag explains. “And now we have to focus on Villa and see what’s the best against Villa.
“But we don’t have so many options in that position. Already a left full-back like Luke is doing great now as a left centre-back.”
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