Manchester United have prioritized defensive reinforcements for the upcoming transfer windows. They have already added plenty of options upfront and a major midfield overhaul this season. United brought Carlos Baleba, Tielemans and Andrey Santos for around 155 million.
Despite the incoming transfers, Manchester United were heavily linked with several names to provide cover for left-back. Lewis Hall was in every headline mentioning United left-back plans, and so was Alejandro Balde. However, United eventually settled in with Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu for the left-back position. Harry Amass, unable to find a move away, also came in as decent cover.
Luke Shaw started a rare all 38 games last season but was hit by an early injury concern this season. Despite the injury concerns, he remains one of the most trusted defenders for Michael Carrick.
United set to offer Luke Shaw a new contract
Now, Luke Shaw could be set to sign a new Manchester United contract, with the club working behind the scenes to secure the experienced left-back beyond the end of the season.
The 31-year-old is currently due to become a free agent, but Michael Carrick remains keen to keep him. Former United chief scout Mick Brown says the club do not want to lose Shaw without receiving anything in return.
“Man United want Luke Shaw to sign a new contract, because they don’t want to lose him for free,” Brown told Football Insider.
Shaw has also managed to put some of the injury concerns surrounding him to one side. Brown points to his consistency last season as an important reason United still value him.
Manchester United still want a new left-back
“He’s still a big part of the team, Michael Carrick really likes him and values him as a regular starter,” Brown said.
“He played every game last year and was consistently impressive.”
That does not mean United have abandoned plans to find a new left-back. The club failed to sign a new left-back during the summer and are still expected to revisit that position in January or next summer.
Brown says the two plans can exist at the same time.
“I don’t think that plan is going to change, by the way. They still want to sign a left-back. But they also want to keep Shaw around and he will still have a role to play.”
