Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has made a damning statement on the future of one of the team’s longest serving players.
Terrible injury record
Shaw has had an horrendous last couple of seasons at Old Trafford.
He enjoyed a career renaissance under Erik ten Hag in the 2022/2023 season when he looked back to his best but it did not last long.
In 2023/2024 he only managed 15 first team appearances in all competitions due to injury.
This was followed up last season with just 12 appearances, including only getting seven Premier League matches under his belt.
Positional change
Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford has changed many things about the club but one of the biggest has been the switch to a 3-4-3 formation.
This essentially means that the wing back position has become even more important and the ability to get up and down the pitch to defend and attack has only intensified.
To fulfil this need, Patrick Dorgu was brought in during the January transfer window and 18-year-old Diego Leon has arrived this summer from Paraguay.
Therefore, Shaw has predominantly played as a left centre back for Amorim and has lined up in pre-season as a central defender.
Scholes’ damning view
Speaking on The Overlap show, United legend Paul Scholes believes this is an absolute necessity for United.
Commenting on Shaw’s future he asserted, “he hasn’t played a game for two years, has he? When he’s fit, he is one of the very best.”
Nonetheless, despite this praise, Scholes was left in no doubt where the 30-year-old’s positional future lies.
Scholes added, “he has to (play at centre-back), there’s no way he can get up and down the pitch anymore.”
Uncertain future
Shaw’s future at the club is unknown as Lisandro Martinez will surely start ahead of him when the Argentine returns to full fitness.
What’s more, Ayden Heaven impressed in the role last year. Regardless, Shaw has played a key role in pre-season and it is very plausible that he starts the season against Arsenal as the left centre back while Martinez recovers from injury.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social
Alex Browne
Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Proud owner of such niche shirts such as Kleberson, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Gary Neville. Grew up pretending to be Ruud van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the back garden, with little success.
