As Manchester United’s dreadful start to the season continues and the injury list grows ever longer, you can’t help but notice the gaping Luke Shaw-shaped hole at left-back. The 28-year-old was integral to Erik ten Hag’s plans last campaign and United have failed to adequately fill the void in his absence.
Manchester United’s Woes Continue
Defeat at home to Galatasaray marked a new low in the Ten Hag era, a game in which they were heavy favourites to comfortably win. After suffering two defeats from two in the Champions League and faltering to their worst Premier League start in decades, they find themselves trailing in the wake of far smaller clubs.
The latest football odds have seen United drop to eighth favourites to finish in the top four at 5/1, behind the current top four, as well as Newcastle (7/5), Brighton (23/10), and Aston Villa (16/5).
Not all hope is lost for Ten Hag, though. His side is currently priced at odds of 500/1 in the Premiership relegation odds, and rather remarkably, Man City are priced as more likely to go down at 375/1!
So grateful to be extending my stay at @ManUtd! I’ve been here for nine years and it’s my home. I want to achieve a lot more and I want it to be with this team ❤️ pic.twitter.com/LNJAv852Qv
— Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) April 4, 2023
Luke Shaw Infallible in Possession
Shaw’s career has been plighted by injury, so far. Whenever you think he’s finding his best form, he suffers another setback. However, it’s clear that he’s a key cog in Ten Hag’s system. The Southampton academy graduate featured 47 times in all competitions last season in what proved to be a standout debut year for the new manager.
Not only is he incredibly press-resistant – very rarely do you see him dispossessed – but he’s influential with the ball at his feet. When you compare his stats against other full-backs, Shaw ranks in the 91st percentile (upper 9%), for passes completed and total passing distance per 90 minutes.
And it’s not just passes to and from the centre-halves that pad these stats out. Shaw ranks in the 96th percentile for progressive passing distance and the 94th percentile for passes into the final third. Ten Hag uses him as a trigger to kickstart United’s attacks.
The Reds draw the opposition attackers and advanced midfielders in before trying to beat the press with a pass into a central midfielder that quickly finds its way to the left-back. Shaw is then the player responsible for progressing play through the likes of Bruno Fernandes or whipping a ball in behind for Marcus Rashford.
Freeing up Marcus Rashford
While his on-ball qualities are clear to see, his underlying value comes from a solid partnership with winger Rashford. Unsurprisingly, we are yet to see the best out of Rashford with Shaw sidelined. His overlapping and underlapping runs down the left flank have been a rich source of chances for United.
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) August 30, 2023
If he receives the ball from Rashford, Shaw possesses a whipped and floated cross, as well as the Manchester City-esque cut-back. But more often than not, his best work is done without the ball. With Rashford hitting a purple patch last season, opponents looked to counteract his pace and dribbling by doubling up in defence.
Shaw’s selfless running occupies the attention of one defender who has no choice but to follow him, thereby freeing up Rashford in a one-on-one scenario. We saw glimpses of this when United lost 4-3 to Bayern Munich, with loanee Sergio Reguilon doing plenty of hard yards down the left. With the Spaniard now out injured, Rashford once again cuts an isolated figure down the left. We’re unlikely to see United’s attack back to its free-flowing best all the time Shaw is with the physios.
