“Every facet of his game, he’s solid”: Rio Ferdinand names the United defender who should always start when fit

Luke Shaw has been an ever-present figure for Manchester United this season and has been highly impressive in the left-sided centre-back position. The Englishman missed almost the entire 2024/25 season with injuries, managing just 12 appearances across competitions. Shaw has been plagued by injuries since arriving at the Theatre of Dreams in the summer of 2014. Despite being at the club for more than a decade, he only made his 300th appearance for the Red Devils last month. For context, Bruno Fernandes has 307 appearances for the club having arrived at Old Trafford in January 2020. However, things appear to have changed this campaign, especially after United head coach Ruben Amorim tweaked the Englishman’s position. A first team regular Shaw has enjoyed a new lease of life as part of the back three and has been the only constant in the defence in the Premier League this season. He has started every game in the league, and even Lisandro Martinez’s return from injury has not impacted his game time so far. Luke Shaw Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Premier League16-12-1,378′ Total 25/2616-12-1,378′ Source: Transfermarkt. While United have been vulnerable at the back, conceding 26 goals in 16 league games, Shaw has been one of the few bright spots in defence and has gone from strength to strength as the season has progressed. The 30 year old’s performances have now earned him high praise from club legend Rio Ferdinand. Ferdinand highlights Shaw’s qualities Speaking on the Inside Carrington podcast, Ferdinand insisted that Shaw deserves to be in the starting XI whenever he is fit. He said: “I’ve always been one of those guys who said if Luke Shaw’s fit, he plays, for me. I think he’s either left-back or left of a three.” “I think that every facet of his game, he’s solid. He’s really good on the ball, one-v-one situations he’s really good as well. I just think there’s a calmness and there’s an authority with the way he plays in the team now, at this age as well, which is really good.” Ferdinand used the example of Phil Jones, who was also part of the podcast episode, to highlight the need for patience with younger stars like Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven. “I think the introduction of the two young guys has been good and they’re going to need time. And that’s what I think that Phil could attest to this as well.” “When you come into a team – and Phil came into a more confident, winning team, which is different again – you still need time to adapt.” “You need the right senior players around you to be able to lean on you when you need it, to pick you up and pull you along when you need it. And it’s critical that those young players get that within this squad, no matter how the squad’s feeling.” Final Thoughts Shaw will turn 31 next summer, and he will enter the final 18 months of his contract at Old Trafford in January. As such, the Englishman’s future is likely to be the subject of speculation soon. Given the player’s age and his injury history, the Red Devils could be wary of handing him a new contract. However, should Shaw manage to go the entire campaign without injury and maintain his impressive form, United could be tempted to extend his stay at the Theatre of Dreams. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.