The surprise move to Manchester United could put Erik ten Hag’s favorite on alert

Luke Shaw received an “obscure” message from Erik ten Hag this week, although he did not reveal the details. We can probably guess that maybe the Manchester United manager told Shaw that he would see him on Thursday.

The Ten Hag will want Holland to overcome England in Dortmund on Wednesday night, sending Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo on holiday and bringing them back to pre-season training at least a few days earlier than expected. He will also want his home country to reach the final of the European Championship.

Shaw’s smile as he discussed Ten Hag’s message – and his refusal to reveal its contents – hinted at the relationship between the two. Asked earlier in a press conference at England’s Blankenhain training base for Euro 2024, the left-back revealed his delight that his club manager is staying on for another year.

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“It wasn’t really a surprise – I think he will always sign,” he said. “I think everyone is very happy that he’s staying. He’s got a trophy every season and I think there’s more to come.”

You’d expect Shaw to be an integral part of that, although he could feel some heat after an injury-hit 2023/24. It was the collapse of the left side of United’s defense that proved so costly.

Shaw managed to play at least 15 times last season, but it was a stop-start campaign derailed by two significant muscle injuries. His understudy, Tyrell Malacia, hasn’t hit a ball all season.

That meant Sergio Reguilon completed his loan spell from Tottenham for the first half of the season, before Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka played out of position, with Shaw absent after coming off at Luton on February 18 with a hamstring problem. hamstrings.

He bounced back on Saturday, coming on as a substitute in England’s quarter-final against Switzerland, and could play a more prominent role against the Dutch at a time when that nation’s influence is growing at Carrington. Ten Hag will be welcome to see their left-back again, at least.

Shaw was a key player in the Ten Hag’s first season, playing 47 games, a mark he also set in 2020/21. But there was another 40-game campaign (2018/29) among the many injury-plagued seasons. A total of 273 appearances in 10 years at the club says it all, even taking into account the horrific double leg break he suffered in September 2015.

He turns 29 on Friday and England’s willingness to be patient with him this summer is a reminder of his importance to the teams he plays for. He is, by some measure, the best English left-back.

But United are not bound by national borders and, following Malacia’s troublesome knee injury, are considering signing a left-back this summer, although, as with much business, it will depend on a number of factors, including which the main available funds after signing a central defender and a forward.

Still, Shaw could face more competition for his spot than he has in a long time. He admitted on Monday that he had suffered a few setbacks, including one in Germany, before his delayed return to action after more than four months.

When the England campaign ends, he will be given at least a few weeks off before returning to Carrington and hoping to put last season behind him. He will almost certainly start the season as Ten Hag’s first-choice left-back and will relish the chance to develop that partnership with Lisandro Martinez again.

He needs a season without any serious injury problems. Shaw is United’s best left-back and will be expected to retain that status, but he can only do so if he is fit and if a rival for his place enters this transfer window, he will raise the stakes.