Ruben Amorim hinted on Friday about an option at his disposal heading into the festive season – but there is a big reason Manchester United should avoid it
Luke Shaw pictured with his Manchester United teammates has excelled this season(Image: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
Nobody would have believed this statement at the start of the season, but Luke Shaw can be classed as one of the best players of the season so for Manchester United. Ignoring the Manchester City defeat, where nobody covered themselves in glory, Shaw has been a dependable option for Ruben Amorim.
His reliability has been missing in recent years. In the 2024/25 season, he missed 294 days due to three injuries. The season prior it was 239 days and there were question marks over whether he would stay fit long enough to contribute to the cause.
And yet, his redemption arc has been spectacular in the 2025/26 campaign. He has started every single Premier League fixture for Amorim and is settled on the left of the back three in Lisandro Martinez’s absence.
None of this could have been expected at the end of last season but it is a credit to the medical team and Shaw that he has managed to become a regular again. However, this could all unravel if Amorim goes with the idea he floated in his pre-Everton press conference when asked whether Shaw could play at left wing-back.
“He can play left wing-back but of course the load that a player does in that position is a little different if you are doing that on a daily basis,” Amorim said.
“He is more prepared to do that position but of course he can play there, he is a smart player and he is fit in the moment so I think he is an option.” In a way, you can see why Amorim would come to that conclusion.
Naturally, Shaw is a full-back but he has suffered a lot of injuries since last playing on the flank. He has had to adapt his style of play and is impressing in the less physically demanding role of left centre-back.
Amorim said it himself in his press conference, the load a player at wing-back has to take on is much more than what he is doing now and would stretch Shaw’s body to the maximum, increasing the chances of an injury.
Even if United were confident Shaw has overcome past issues, now is not the time to trial him at wing back. United are about to enter their busiest period of the campaign and it would be asking for trouble to shift Shaw out wide.
