Luke Shaw has enjoyed a solid pre-season for Man United, starting three of their opening four friendlies.
Paul Scholes has shared his opinion on Luke Shaw.(Image: The Overlap/Sky Bet.)
Legendary Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has said there is “no way” Luke Shaw can still have a career as a left-back.
After successive injury-hit campaigns, Shaw has high hopes of becoming a regular fixture in United head coach Ruben Amorim’s plans this season.
The England international, who joined United from Southampton in 2014, has played a prominent role in the club’s pre-season, starting three of their opening four friendlies.
Each start has seen him occupy the left-sided centre-back berth. Patrick Dorgu, Diego Leon and Diogo Dalot have all been given minutes at left wing-back.
The wing-back role in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system demands high energy. The wing-backs are in place to service the forward players at the top end of the pitch.
Amorim’s approach with Shaw so far this summer suggests he sees his best position in his system in the back-three – and almost everybody is in agreement that is his strongest position in this particular shape.
However, Scholes has gone as far as saying he does not believe Shaw will be capable of playing as a full-back or wing-back again.
Speaking on The Overlap, Scholes said: “He hasn’t played a game for two years, has he? When he’s fit, he is one of the very best.
“He has to [play at centre-back], there’s no way he can get up and down the pitch anymore.”
Prior to Amorim’s appointment last November, Shaw had provided evidence he was capable of playing as a centre-back under former United manager Erik ten Hag, albeit in a back-four.
A back-three system offers a little bit more scope for him to get on the ball and he is a solid operator when in possession, meaning he will be able to help United progress the ball up the pitch.
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