It has been a tough start to life at Manchester United for new manager Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese manager replaced Erik ten Hag midway through the season, but it has been a baptism of fire for the former Sporting CP boss.
So far, Amorim has managed 20 games at the helm of the Old Trafford club. In that time, the Red Devils have won ten, drawn two and lost eight. Having a positive record is something, but losses such as a 2-0 away defeat to Wolves and Crystal Palace springing a surprise by winning 2-0 at Old Trafford have been frustrating.
There has been much conversation about Amorim’s back three system, but it seems like he will not be switching things up. One of the most crucial parts of his system is at wing-back, which has been a struggle at times for United.
Why wing-backs are important for Amorim’s system
Amorim sets up his side in a 3-4-2-1 system, with two number 10s in behind the striker and wing-backs responsible for creating width in the absence of wingers, looking to get crosses into the box.
This season, it is a role that has been occupied by full-backs Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, and wingers such as Amad, and, at times Alejandro Garnacho. New signing Patrick Dorgu has also been signed to play as a wing-back.
Nick Wright, an analyst for Sky Sports, explained the use of Amoirm’s wing-backs in an article shortly after his appointment. He explained that they “are primarily attacking weapons, responsible for providing width and contributing goals and assists”.
This has not necessarily been the case throughout Amorim’s tenure. We have seen his wing-backs either struggle to contribute to goals, or underlap the number 10s rather than always hold width, although the latter is clearly an instruction from Amorim. Amad has been a success story in this position, managing to score a hat-trick there against Southampton in a 3-1 win.
There is one player who could have excelled in this role, but he has struggled for fitness this season and has barely had any involvement under Amorim.
INEOS must sell one of Amorim’s wing-backs
It has been a really tough campaign for the experienced Luke Shaw. He has been sidelined with several injuries for the majority of 2024/25 and has currently missed 53 games with three separate fitness issues.
In total, the England international has managed just three appearances all season. He has not played since the 1st December against Everton when he made a 34-minute substitute cameo in a 4-0 win.
Despite his injury problems, the 29-year-old has been a stalwart at Old Trafford in the 11 years he has played for the club. He has played 278 games in the famous red shirt in total, scoring four goals and grabbing 28 assists in that time.
At one point during his Red Devils career, Shaw was incredibly highly thought of by many people. Gary Neville, who knows what it takes to succeed as a full-back at Old Trafford, once called him “the best left back in the country”.
‘He’s been outstanding this season for United. A Luke Shaw (that is) fit, a Luke Shaw (that is) physically good, a Luke Shaw (that is) confident is the best left back in the country, in my opinion.” – Neville in March 2021.
However, perhaps it is time for the Red Devils to cut their losses in their number 23. Shaw is a fantastic player, but his injury issues are such a big roadblock to him playing regular football. Given he earns £150k per week, the joint sixth-highest earner at the club, United could save themselves a fortune and reinvest the money.
|
Man Utd highest earners (excluding players out on loan) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Wage (per week) |
Wage (per year) |
Player(s) |
|
£350k |
£18.2m |
Casemiro |
|
£300k |
£15.6m |
Bruno Fernandes |
|
£250k |
£13m |
Mason Mount |
|
£195k |
£10.4m |
Matthijs de Ligt |
|
£190k |
£10.14m |
Harry Maguire |
|
£150k |
£7.8m |
Shaw, Eriksen |
|
Data via Football FanCast/Capology. |
||
It is frustrating that United fans are yet to see the England ace play as a wing-back under Amorim. Whilst his body may not be able to handle to demand of getting up and down the flank, he is technically a perfect option to slot into the role. Of course, he also scored one of the most famous goals in England’s history from that very position, the opener in the Euro 2020 final against Italy.
It is a real shame that Shaw’s injuries have hampered his career at Old Trafford. Had he not been so affected by fitness issues over the decade he has spent as a United player, he could have consistently been the “best”, as Neville rated him.
Perhaps he can get back to full fitness and over his injury issues once and for all, but it would certainly be hard to blame United if they decided to cut their losses in Shaw sooner or later.
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