Michael Carrick is enjoying an extended period of availability from his left-back, Luke Shaw, but that welcome fitness boost comes with a warning.
To his credit, Luke Shaw has been injury-free for pretty much the whole season, also helped by Ruben Amorim using him as a centre-back in his setup.
The same has continued under Michael Carrick, as the interim manager has tried to manage his intensity by using a lopsided full-back system.
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The result is a Shaw who’s available for every game and plays well more often than not. However, it comes with a warning.
Man Utd have been here before with Luke Shaw
Shaw’s availability at Old Trafford has fluctuated between peaks and troughs like Marcus Rashford’s form for the club before he left.
After rarely having a consistent run in the league in his first four seasons, he followed it up with a consistent one in 2018/19, playing 2,592 minutes.
However, that remains his career-high for United to date, and most of his good campaigns since that season have had a common denominator.
When there is an international tournament on the horizon, or Shaw is in a contract year, he manages to keep fit.
That’s how he received his extension in 2023, on the back of playing 2,556 minutes in the league over 31 games.
He played just 963 minutes in the 2023/24 season, only to play a few games for England at the Euros that summer, ruling him out of action for Man Utd’s start of the 2024/25 season.
The 24/25 season ended up being a complete write-off, and he has bounced back again this season as the World Cup is on the horizon.
Shaw deserves a recall to the England squad, but the timing of his fitness streak also provides a warning for United.
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Shaw’s current contract, the one he signed in 2023, ends in 2027, so he will enter the final 12 months after competing in the World Cup.
On paper, he’s the first name on the teamsheet, but as he goes over the age of 30 with his injury history, United should be in no rush to extend his stay.
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Much like Maguire, who has had to make himself undeniable this season, Shaw’s contract should be allowed to run into the last six months.
A new deal shouldn’t be dictated by the theory that he’s put his fitness worries behind him.
Rather, it should be based on whether he can continue to do so, especially as the likes of Patrick Dorgu and Harry Amass are waiting in the wings.
In many ways, Shaw’s extension is one of the last Glazer era moves. Ineos have been more efficient with their operations. Not treating Shaw’s fitness as an indicator of the future should be the way forward.
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