‘Top’ star told to find new role to salvage his Man United career after losing his place to newcomer | OneFootball

Samuel Luckhurst advises Luke Shaw to find himself a new playing position in order to keep his place at Manchester United.

The London native has been around since 2014, so it’s almost difficult to imagine he’s only 29 years old. The Red Devils signed him following his breakthrough at Southampton, splashing circa £30 million for his services.

But sadly for the England international, injuries have been haunting him ever since. For instance, he has only made three appearances in the Premier League this season, all coming off the bench.

After recovering from his most recent ordeal, Shaw was hoping he would reclaim a place in Ruben Amorim’s formation. The manager had described him as a ‘top’ player earlier this season, hinting he could have an important role to play upon his return.

But as Luckhurst explained in his piece for the Manchester Evening News, the landscape has changed in recent weeks following the emergence of Harry Amass.

The 18-year-old has only made a handful of appearances for the first team, but is already ahead of Shaw in the pecking order, at least based on the manager’s most recent selections. The teenager is seemingly the main understudy for Patrick Dorgu in the left wing-back role.

Therefore, Luckhurst urges Shaw to save his Man Utd career by re-establishing himself in a new playing position.

Luke Shaw must transition to the backline to extend Man Utd career

(Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

While competing with the younger (and healthier) Dorgu and Amass seems to be a daunting task for the 29-year-old, he might be able to carve himself more space at the back.

With United shifting to a three-man backline, the club now needs more centre-backs, especially with Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans heading towards free agency, and Lisandro Martinez ruled out with an ACL injury.

The Argentine’s lengthy absence deprives the club of an important option for the left centre-back role, but it also represents the golden opportunity for Shaw to recreate himself as a defender, albeit he’d likely have to share this spot with the emerging Ayden Heaven.

Moreover, the deeper role could be more suitable for the experienced English player at this stage of his career, as he wouldn’t have to repeatedly gallop up and down the left flank.

This would arguably help him avoid additional injuries, so he wouldn’t only extend his days at Carrington, but perhaps his career as a whole.