September 24th 2024.
According to former Manchester United coach René Meulensteen, the club is facing a major problem with Luke Shaw that they will have to address next summer. Shaw, who has been out with a muscle injury since February, was included in England's Euro 2024 squad and even started in the final against Spain. However, he has not played since then and has missed United's opening six games of the new season due to a calf problem.
Initially, it was expected that Shaw would return to action after the international break in September. However, manager Erik ten Hag has been unable to provide a clear timeline for his return, suggesting that it may now be delayed until after October's international break. In Shaw's absence, United has coped with Diogo Dalot filling in on the left and Noussair Mazraoui, who joined from Bayern Munich in the summer, making an excellent start to his career at Old Trafford.
However, the options in reserve are limited, with Tyrell Malacia also out with an injury since last year. Shaw's absences have been a persistent problem, as he has missed a total of 264 games for club and country over the past decade. Meulensteen, who was one of Sir Alex Ferguson's right-hand men during United's successful period between 2007 and 2013, is concerned about the club's future decision regarding Shaw.
If Shaw is unable to prove that he can consistently perform this season, Meulensteen believes that finding a new long-term option will become a priority for the club next summer. He stated, "That's definitely an area of concern. Mazraoui and Dalot have shown that they can fill in, but they are not natural left-backs. When Luke is fit and playing well, he is great, but his constant injuries are a massive concern."
Meulensteen also expressed uncertainty about the cause of Shaw's prolonged absence, whether it is an ongoing medical issue or a problem with his rehabilitation process. He believes that the club needs to assess the situation and determine how long it will take for Shaw to return to peak performance. If there are doubts about his ability to sustain his performance, then it becomes a problem for the team.
Regarding Malacia, Meulensteen admits that he is not sure about his situation. He emphasized the importance of having reliable left-backs and right-backs in modern football, as they are responsible for defending, building up the play, and contributing in the final third. He believes that it is a versatile position and if Shaw's absence is expected to continue for half a season, the club should consider finding a long-term replacement.
In the end, Meulensteen acknowledges that he does not have all the information about Shaw's situation, but he believes that the club needs to make a decision based on the available information. He stated, "I wouldn't say they have to bring someone in right now, as maybe Luke will be ready soon. But if they have that information and he is still out for half a season, then they should consider finding someone else for the long-term."
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