Michael Carrick could return to Luke Shaw to his best, and another Manchester United star will reap the rewards in the coming weeks.
Luke Shaw signed for Manchester United in 2014 under Louis van Gaal, and as such, he became the most expensive teenager in world football at that time. Shaw has been a key player since his move, with several unbelievable patches during his United tenure, surrounded by troubling injuries – most notably his devastating leg break in the Europa League.
Under Ole Gunnar Solsjkær – with Michael Carrick as the assistant manager – Shaw turned into a whole new player. He was considered one of, if not, the best left-backs in world football. The England international was a tough defender, often getting the best of his wide battles, and a force in the final third, too. Shaw would fly down the left-hand side, before either putting a cross into the penalty area, or making an excellent dummy run so Anthony Martial or Marcus Rashford could cut inside.
In a surprising move, Shaw moved back to central defence under Erik ten Hag, partnering Raphael Varane while Lisandro Martínez was absent through injury. His time in central defence in a back four was short-lived, but he did have time to shut down Erling Haaland as his Argentine teammate did last weekend. But Rúben Amorim moved Shaw back to centre-back, this time in a back three formation.
When he was fit, as he has been for the entire 2025/26 campaign, Shaw was crucial to Amorim, but he was never able to unleash his full ability. Many fans claimed the former Southampton defender should be moved up to left-wing-back, but fans saw this for just minutes when Amorim was chasing games, rather than as a real option.
Darren Fletcher’s change to a back four against Burnley and Brighton helped Shaw return to his all-round game that fans saw under Ten Hag. Shaw was told to invert into central defence, move into central midfield, and join the attack – a complicated role for some, but Shaw made it look like child’s play. His intelligence ensured he was always in the right place at the right time.
Carrick could further Shaw’s improvement even more. Rashford and Shaw had an excellent understanding under Solskjær and Carrick, and that same partnership could be created again. Perhaps with Matheus Cunha.
Shaw could unlock Cunha
Matheus Cunha’s United career has been rather inconsistent. The Brazilian has quickly become a fan favourite for his passion and dribbling ability, but he has lacked the goal output to match his newfound support. Cunha has scored just four goals and two assists in the Premier League this season (19 games), compared to his 15 goals and six assists last campaign (33 games). He will know he needs to improve, and he could through the help of Shaw.
When Marcus Rashford was at the peak of his immensely high powers, he had Shaw behind him, constantly overlapping or underlapping depending on the situation. Rashford’s wide starting position created confusion for the opposition when Shaw ran forward, as they weren’t sure if he would round his teammate – and head off the pitch – or run through the gap between full-back and centre-back. As such, defenders would back off Rashford and make him make the first move – exactly what the winger wanted.
Rashford’s burst off pace meant he could beat any defender on the run, including Kyle Walker, and his speed ensured he won the physical duel, too, as he always had the momentum over the defender. A moment where Rashford shoulder barged Virgil Van Dijk comes to mind.
Cunha has largely played in the half-space, the space between the flank and the centre of the pitch, over the course of his career, but could see a role change under Michael Carrick. Patrick Dorgu started Carrick’s first game against Manchester City as the left-winger, but that role could be tailor-made for Cunha against lower opposition, especially if Shaw is bombing down the left-hand side as he once did.
Cunha could benefit from Shaw’s intelligence as Rashford once did. The former Wolves forward often rushes his chances because he’s so eager to impress the Old Trafford crowd, but with Shaw overlapping, Cunha would have more time on the ball. Time to cut inside and let fly with a knuckleball flying past the goalkeeper, wait… that sounds familiar.
United will have to get creative on the left wing until the end of the season after missing out on Antoine Semenyo. This is Cunha’s chance to prove himself as a star “who is pure Man Utd.”
Shaw’s injury concern
Now, it is time to address the elephant in the room: Shaw’s injury record. As per Transfermarkt, has amassed 28 injuries across his United career. He has made 304 appearances for United – a statistic which would be much higher had it not been for the damned leg break in Eindhoven.
With Cunha’s revival so focused on Shaw’s form, many could be forgiven for being concerned about that prospect. But there is one man who can put that worry to rest. Patrick Dorgu.
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Dorgu started the derby on the left wing, the FA Cup tie against Brighton at left-back, and the Burnley game at left wing, again. In the last three games, Dorgu has shown his versatility to a new level. So much so, the United media team asked him if he considers himself to be a defender or forwads. His reply? “Probably in between.” This makes him the perfect man to replace Shaw at left-back when Cunha is playing on the left flank.
Carrick is likely to continue with Dorgu in attack against Arsenal, but against teams who play a low-block, he could be moved back to defence. This would allow United to overload the opposition with an additional attacking player. Dorgu would not have the same impact on Cunha that Shaw could, but it won’t be far off – even without the experience of Shaw.
United’s young Dane will be desperate to get forward when playing as a left-back. He won’t have the same know-how as Shaw to move inside or outside, but his speed and desire will have a similar effect on the opposition’s defence.
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