Prior to Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, the Red Devils were hoping to have one key man back in the starting lineup.
Luke Shaw, who had been out injured for the last couple of weeks, was expected to be welcomed back into the starting lineup and rekindle his effective partnership with Marcus Rashford.
Instead, Shaw missed the rather dull draw against Tottenham Hotspur and Erik ten Hag revealed that the English left-back suffered a last-minute issue and had to miss out on the game.
Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were the full-back pairing of choice with the Englishman playing at left-back, in what was a strange decision made by Ten Hag.
Shaw’s absence
It’s unclear why the former Southampton left-back was absent for the game but the truth is that Shaw’s injury record, which has been concerning, to say the least, is starting to become a problem.
Sergio Reguilon, who has now returned to Spurs, was brought in at left-back during the summer as Shaw was, once again, out injured for a long period of time.
Dalot has filled in at that position, as has Wan-Bissaka today. Shaw is a vital player for the Red Devils and the nice link-up play he forms with Rashford makes United look more threatening.
Without Shaw, United look lost down the left-hand side and his continued absence in the first team does not help the Red Devils, regardless of how good he is.
Without Tyrell Malacia, too, United have a lack of options at left-back which makes their decision regarding Alvaro Fernandez look all the more perplexing.
United’s bizarre Fernandez decision
Well, it looks like Argentine left-back Fernandez will be moving to Portuguese giants SL Benfica as a deal was agreed between the two sides, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The deal will be a loan with the option to make it permanent as Fernandez departs La Liga side Granada where he never really got the chance to impress on a consistent basis.
Letting go of the left-back is yet another bizarre decision from those with power at Old Trafford and you wonder if Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos have had a say on this decision.
It’s fair to say that the majority of the academy players who come through at Old Trafford will not make the cut, which is fine. The fans, however, become more irate due to the quality of players being brought into the club as replacements.
The club is about giving young players a chance but there does not seem to be a clear pathway for these academy players to go through.
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