Manchester United have been forced into finding new solutions at left-back, and one has become integral to how the manager wants to play.
Back in early August, Manchester United fans feared the worst when Luke Shaw missed training. Days later the club announced Shaw had sustained an injury, and would not be back until after the international break.
Luke Shaw’s injury record has left United to search for other solutions, not helped by Tyrell Malacia missing more than a year’s worth of action.
Both Shaw and Malacia may be back soon, they ought to be, but there is yet no fixed date for either, and United are not necessarily desperate.
Diogo Dalot and Mazraoui fill in
Noussair Mazraoui has been a terrific signing so far for Manchester United following his summer switch from Bayern Munich.
The Moroccan has been featuring at right-back, allowing Diogo Dalot to fill in at left-back, like he did successfully in the FA Cup Final.
The position is becoming a regular one for Dalot now. He no longer feels like a temporary solution for the role.
If there was a fit left-back, Dalot would not necessarily switch over to reclaim the right-back spot. Mazraoui has been so good, some would prefer to see him keep his place.
And if Dalot is not starting on the right, he will have a very good case to start on the left – even if Shaw or Malacia are healthy.
Dalot could keep Shaw out
Diogo Dalot performed a game changing role for United against Crystal Palace, as he had begun to do this season under the instructions of the coaching staff.
Dalot is inverting into midfield, which is creating an overload of players and allowing others to push forward.
It is a role Ten Hag trusts Dalot to execute, and one the Portuguese defender appears to have adjusted to very comfortably.
If this becomes integral to the way Manchester United want to play, then Luke Shaw is not going to simply walk back into the team on a regular basis.
There will be rotation which will give Shaw chances, when fit. But he will have to prove himself for the games that matter.
Can he play the way Ten Hag wants him to? If he cannot, will United offset it by utilising Dalot on the right?
These are all things to consider, and it’s worth noting that Shaw has proved adaptable in the past, shifting to centre-back with success.
What Dalot and Mazraoui have shown, is that Manchester United are in a strong position as long as they can remain healthy.
No guarantee for Shaw helps him
All of this means Luke Shaw is not a locked-in guarantee to start for Manchester United as soon as he is fit.
And this may just be the best thing possible for the England international, who was overplayed as soon as he returned last season.
The first of four injuries Shaw suffered in 2023/24 kept him out between mid-August and mid-November.
Then when he returned, he ended up starting eight consecutive games in all competitions, before predictably missing more time with injury.
It was a badly managed situation, caused in large part by a lack of viable options.
This does not look the case in 2024/25, with Dalot now emerging as a trustworthy and unique option at left-back, who Erik ten Hag might even prefer in certain scenarios.
When Shaw returns, this will allows United to manage his minutes a lot more carefully, stagger his return to action, and try to ensure he does not simply play himself into another injury.
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