£30m Manchester United signing is a “poor defender”, Premier League veteran goes against Gareth Southgate

Premier League veteran Carlton Palmer has given his verdict on one Manchester United defender, going against a claim made by Gareth Southgate.

Luke Shaw has not had the season many would have expected at Manchester United, with the English international having missed six-months worth of games through injury.

Last season, he was one of the best left-backs in world football under Erik ten Hag, but after having missed 29 games already this season, his value to the club has declined.

Read More: Thomas Tuchel addresses Bayern Munich future amid Manchester United links

Shaw was assigned for almost £30 million from Southampton in 2015, which was a world-record fee for a teenager. During his first season, Shaw suffered a horrible leg break against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Shaw has since suffered from a string of injury problems at Old Trafford, with the defender becoming unreliable for both club and country.

Not a good defender

Carlton Palmer, who played 261 Premier League games during his career, has given his verdict on Shaw, explaining that he feels Shaw is not a good defender.

“I think we have an issue at left-back. I’m not a Luke Shaw fan. I think he’s a good footballer, but he’s a poor defender. He’s a poor defender,” Palmer told The World Class Stamp Podcast.

“Shaw on that side with Maguire, it doesn’t work for me. If Gareth Southgate was sold on Luke Shaw, why did he start Trippier at left-back for the Euros?”

Going against Southgate

This contradicts Southgate’s point of view. In March, Southgate, speaking about his left-back options, explained that although he has Ben Chillwell as an option, he believes Shaw is one of the best left-backs in world football.

“I thought Ben defended really well, and it was an important game for him,” Southgate said in the aftermath of England’s 1-0 loss against Brazil. “I don’t want to kill Ben. But Luke is one of the best left-backs in world football, frankly.”