There was one positive aspect of Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Everton that has gone under the radar.
Erik ten Hag has had to deal with a ludicrous amount of injury issues at Old Trafford this season but there is one absentee that has hurt Manchester United more than most.
The full-back positions are, nowadays, one of the most important positions on the pitch and for United, they are no different.
Luke Shaw coming back into the United fold, at such an important time of the season, could be vital for Ten Hag and the Red Devils ahead of a tricky month.
Shaw’s impact
After such a lengthy layoff from the United team, with Sergio Reguilon coming into the side on loan from Tottenham Hotspur to replace him, Shaw finally made his long-awaited comeback against the Toffees.
In a back four that was a similar defensive set-up that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer became so wedded to during his second full season at Old Trafford, it was clear to see the improvements to the team the Englishman brought.
Having a defender who is so accomplished, not just defensively, but offensively, made United look much better going forward than they have done in recent weeks.
In the left-back’s absence, United struggled to consistently create chances in games and whether it was Reguilon, or even at times Sofyan Amrabat, chances from full-backs were hard to come by.
During yesterday’s win over Everton at Goodison Park, Shaw was one of the most impressive players in the team.
He won 100% of his aerial duels as well as 75% of his ground duels in a defensively dominant performance from the Englishman.
Ten Hag’s relief
The defender has been out of action for around three months now but the hope will be that the Englishman can rediscover the form he showed for the Red Devils last season.
With a crucial match coming up against Galatasaray in the Champions League, Shaw’s return will give the team a lift, and players like the left-back will be vital going forward.
United also need to be careful with the defender and not rush him back to playing every single minute so soon with the option of moving Diogo Dalot to left-back and bringing in Aaron Wan-Bissaka into the team, still a possibility.
The left-back could also be key to getting the best out of Marcus Rashford with the winger looking much more comfortable when the former Southampton defender was behind him.
Shaw coming back into the team may well be the most important piece of the United jigsaw.
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