Manchester United had some stand-out performers when they beat Luton Town in the Premier League on Sunday.
Kobbie Mainoo was his brilliant normal self, Jonny Evans put in a commanding performance at the back and Rasmus Hojlund continued his hot streak.
But it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. There were definitely some negatives in the fixture, most notably the injury of Luke Shaw.
The full-back obtained yet another set-back to add to his ever-growing list of injury woes during his time at Manchester United. He could even be out for the season. This gives Erik ten Hag a summer predicament that may not have even crossed his mind.
Manchester United may need to pull trigger on Luke Shaw successor in the summer
Shaw has been a hell of a servant for United. The England international joined the Red Devils way back in June 2014, for at the time was a whopping fee of around £27m for the teenager.
United have had nearly a decade of the full-back but is now the time to finally the time to spend big on his successor?
Shaw’s injury record is becoming very troubling, and he’s not getting any younger. In total this season, the 28-year-old has played just 998 minutes of football.
What’s even more worrying, is the fact that Shaw’s supposed understudy, Tyrell Malacia, is absolutely nowhere to be seen – which could force Manchester United into an unorthodox left-back option in the coming weeks.
United also let go of Alvaro Fernandez, and although a budding talent, Harry Amass is still very young.
Diogo Dalot can fit in there, but he’s been electric at right-back this season and doesn’t deserve to play cover.
Shaw’s position came under fire years back for his performances under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, which led to the purchase of Alex Telles, although he was bought as a means of competition – not as an immediate starter.
Now, whilst Shaw’s footballing capabilities are not to be questioned, his injury records – which may now finally mean it is time for some fresh blood at Old Trafford.
Who could be Luke Shaw’s successor?
That’s the big question, who in world football is available that could take over from Shaw at full-back?
The only obvious choice we can think of at the moment is AC Milan’s, Theo Hernandez. He would be absolutely frightening in the Premier League, but would cost a pretty penny.
We are saying this is goodbye to Shaw, by the way, it’s just insurance if his injury woes persist. Top-class full-backs are integral to the modern-day game, and we can’t keep chopping and changing each week.
Shaw has also proven himself as an accomplished centre-half, so if Raphael Varane goes in the summer, he could also be elite-tier rotation for that left centre-back slot.
Let’s see if anything materialises in the summer, but the left-back position is something we reckon Sir Jim Ratcliffe has his eye on at the moment.
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