Jay Motty from the Stretford Paddock says Luke Shaw has had a fantastic season for Manchester United – but still thinks the club may need to bring in an additional left-back in the transfer window.
Shaw, who has suffered several long-term injuries in his 12-year spell at United, has enjoyed an injury-free campaign this term and started every Premier League game.
However, Motty worries this season could be “an anomaly” and therefore an extra option at left-back may be needed next season, when United will also have Champions League football added to their schedule.
“It’s a shame that his United career, on the whole, has been hampered by injuries,” said Motty on BBC Radio Manchester’s The Devils’ Advocate podcast.
“Before going into this season, for the last five campaigns he had missed over half the games, which is a crying shame because they should have been his peak years. Between the ages of 24 and 29, you expect to be at your best and we haven’t seen enough of him because of those injuries.
“That’s not his fault. He suffered that horrific injury under Louis van Gaal in Europe and had other injuries and niggles since.
“There was a lot of anger when he wasn’t fit for United and then he went to the Euros, which again wasn’t his fault. I wouldn’t begrudge him that.
“But he’s been playing regularly this season and you can see the quality he’s got and the experience he has.
“It’s a weird one for United because if Shaw stays fit for next season then they are laughing, but there’s part of me that feels like this season is an anomaly and you need another option at left-back.
“I am a bit concerned about whether he can maintain this level of fitness, but if he can then he’s a fantastic footballer.”
Listen on BBC Sounds here – and don’t forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.