Manchester United have yet to be able to call on the services of one of their key men this season, and Mark Lawrenson believes it might be time to look for a replacement.
Luke Shaw has failed to make a single squad so far this campaign after sustaining a calf injury during pre-season.
Despite playing for England at the Euros in the summer, the left-back hasn't appeared for United since February, and Lawrenson told Sports Casting that the club can no longer rely on him.
“I think United will be looking for a replacement for Luke Shaw, given he’s suffered yet another injury,” He said.
“He made the Euros in the end but if you’ve got players like him who are very rarely fit, you can’t rely on them.
“It’s not a case of him not playing anymore, it’s more the fact that Ten Hag will be wanting to play the same team every week. If he can have that, and it’s a good team, then United will be up there at the top of the league.
“You’ve got to feel for Luke Shaw, though, he doesn’t mean to get injured that’s just the way the game is. They’ll likely assess the situation at the start of next year and see what they can and can’t do with him.”
One player the Liverpool legend is excited about seeing is Matthijs de Ligt. The Dutchman moved to Old Trafford in the summer to link up with his former boss Erik ten Hag, and Lawrenson has praised the club for the capture of the big defender.
Adding: “Obviously, Erik ten Hag knows Matthijs de Ligt extremely well from his time at Ajax, and he’s started well.
"When you buy new players and they start well, it makes all the difference. Manchester United have been all over the place for the last two or three years but this signing definitely looks like it’ll give them a bit of stability.
“When you come into a team like that and you know the manager like he does, it often makes the difference. He knows that Ten Hag will look after him and protect him but, in all fairness, De Ligt doesn’t look like he needs that. He’s a proper player and looks to be a great addition to the squad.”
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