Man United manager Erik ten Hag is continuing to get more and more out his players at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw (left) has excelled under Erik ten Hag’s management this season. (Image: George Salpigtidis/AFP via Getty Images.)
Marcus Rashford joked that Luke Shaw was not enjoying playing at centre-back as much as he was letting on.
But you would not have guessed it after the Manchester United defender produced another faultless performance in the heart of the defence against Wolves at Molineux on Saturday. The England international, for the second game running, was paired with Raphael Varane at centre-back and helped United register a third successive clean sheet in all competitions, as they signed off for 2022 with a 1-0 win.
Up against the physical and often problematic Diego Costa, it would have been easy for Shaw to shirk away from the challenge and become flustered. Although the former Chelsea striker only lasted a half before being hooked at the break, you would never have thought it was only Shaw’s second game at centre-back in a back-four, such was the ease with which he dealt with the examination the Spaniard presented him.
Following Lisandro Martinez’s return to Carrington in the aftermath of Argentina’s World Cup win in Qatar in the days leading up to the trip to Molineux, it was widely expected that he would slot straight back into team, allowing Shaw to return to a more natural habitat at left-back. The Argentine, however, did not make the squad, meaning Erik ten Hag stuck with Shaw in central-defence, despite naming Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof on the bench.
Luke Shaw dealt with Diego Costa (left) with ease against Wolves. (Image: Isaac Parkin – WWFC/Wolverhampton Wanderers FC via Getty Images.)
Shaw, who was as solid as a rock for England at the World Cup, was handed some much-needed competition at left-back during the summer with the addition of Tyrell Malacia. The Dutchman, after a starring performance on his full debut against Liverpool in August, quickly made the left-back berth his own, up until a troublesome first half against Manchester City in the derby in October handed the position back to Shaw.
Since then, the former Southampton man has been an ever-present figure, either at centre-back or left-back, starting the last nine league games in a row. He is a player that you can guarantee you will always get 100 per cent from, producing a seven or eight out of ten performance every week.
But while there is no doubt that left-back remains his best role, his recent performances at centre-back have given Ten Hag an alternative option to work with in the future. His attitude and commitment to the role, despite his inexperience in that position, has been absolutely first class, highlighted by his interview with BT Sport reporter Des Kelly on the Molineux turf in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s win.
“I am really enjoying it,” Shaw said, addressing his recent switch to centre-back. “I said to the manager ‘I’ll play wherever you want me to’, and it always helps with someone like Varane next to you.
“He spoke to me a lot, not just in the game, but before, and I really enjoyed it.”
By going out of his way to acknowledge Varane’s guidance and support, it suggests that Shaw still has aspirations of learning. Not turning 28 until July, the defender still has time on his side and is yet to reach the peak of his career.
He has been strong and dependable so far this season, barely putting a foot wrong, both for United and England. He is a player that never quite gets as much credit as he so often deserves, such is the way he goes about his job in such an unassuming manner.
He is a consistent operator and, perhaps more importantly, fully understands the values and responsibility of playing for United, as highlighted in his post-match interview. He is a senior figure in the squad nowadays and few players have been at the club longer than he has.
He has grown, both as a player and as a character, during his Reds career, with his recent performances ranking among his best, certainly in recent seasons. He never shies away from a challenge and is always ready to roll up his sleeves and puff out his chest in pursuit of achievement.
Shaw is the sort of character Ten Hag would like to build his new-look United team upon. He is someone who is always reliable, committed and gets on with his job with minimal fuss.
Source: dailylifeworld.com
