Luke Shaw has been having serious Injury problems. We can’t have that type of player here. He can’t play up to 10 games each season. We need to secure the talented Spanish Left-back before he decides to go back to Real Madrid”-Erik ten Hag makes his feelings clear after finding perfect Luke Shaw alternative at Manchester United after contacting the player and his agent

Luke Shaw is viewed as Manchester United’s primary left-back when fit. However, manager Erik ten Hag has hinted that a long-term replacement might be necessary following a recent performance in that role.

Shaw joined United in 2014 as one of football’s most promising young talents. Now at 29, he has played 275 matches for the club, scoring four goals and winning both the FA Cup and League Cup during his tenure at Old Trafford. Unfortunately, his career has been marred by recurring injuries, including a major double leg break in 2015 during a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven.

This season, Shaw has not yet played due to injury, with his last appearance for United in February, where he contributed to a win against Luton Town. Despite being sidelined, he was included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024. Shaw’s contract with United runs until 2027, and the team has other left-back options, such as Tyrell Malacia and Noussair Mazraoui. Although Mazraoui was brought in from Bayern Munich as a right-back, he can also play on the left.

A new challenger for the left-back position is 20-year-old Toby Collyer. Primarily a holding midfielder, Collyer has participated in three matches this season, making his first-team debut in the Community Shield loss to Manchester City. He also came on as a substitute in a 3-0 Premier League defeat against Liverpool.

Collyer made his first start for United in the Carabao Cup third round, playing left-back in a commanding 7-0 victory over Barnsley from League One. This match, United’s biggest win under Ten Hag, has highlighted Collyer’s potential in that role.

Reflecting on Collyer’s left-back performance, Ten Hag remarked, “It was his first time playing as a left-back—he’s had some training experience there, but this was his debut in the position. He started a little nervously, but as the match progressed, he found his groove, and the team’s shape improved.”

Collyer’s standout performance may provide Ten Hag with a valuable option as he considers future squad changes.