{"id":1187754,"date":"2021-01-30T12:31:57","date_gmt":"2021-01-30T12:31:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1187754"},"modified":"2021-01-30T12:31:57","modified_gmt":"2021-01-30T12:31:57","slug":"luke-shaw-man-utd-first-choice-left-back-alex-telles","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/luke-shaw-man-utd-first-choice-left-back-alex-telles\/","title":{"rendered":"How Luke Shaw overcame a \u00a330m-rated challenge to remain Man Utd\u2019s No.1 left-back"},"content":{"rendered":"

When Manchester United confirmed the signing of Alex Telles in the summer transfer window many expected it to begin the end of Luke Shaw’s time at Old Trafford.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The English left-back joined Man Utd in 2014 but had never really lived up to the lofty expectations accompanying his \u00a330m move from Southampton. This, combined with the performances and attacking record of Telles at Porto, did not make for good reading for Shaw, especially following a disastrous display in the 6-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

But in a surprising turn since that defeat, Shaw hasn’t really been out of the Man Utd starting XI (injuries aside) and in recent weeks he has proven to be one of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s key men.<\/p>\n

\n

Join Football Index* in three steps:<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. Head to the Football Index website using\u00a0<\/span>this link here<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>and click \u2018join now\u2019.<\/li>\n
  2. Enter your details, including a valid email address.<\/li>\n
  3. Deposit funds to get underway and start buying shares.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    *You have to be 18+ and\u00a0<\/span>Gamble Aware<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>to sign up to Football Index. Values correct at time of writing on 28\/01\/2021.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

    \n

    Since a hamstring injury ruled him out of five matches going into December, Shaw has missed just two of Man Utd’s 13 games across all competitions, starting nine times. His two substitute appearances marked differing fortunes. First, he replaced Telles at half-time in a 1-0 win over Wolves, and then he came on late in the surprise home defeat to Sheffield United, again replacing Telles.<\/p>\n

    That United only beat Wolves once he came on, and that they were already losing to Sheffield United before he was summoned off the bench, seems to underline how important he has become to the Red Devils.<\/span><\/p>\n

    That run has seen Man Utd win six times with just two defeats, one in the Carabao Cup semi-finals against Man City and of course the shock loss to Sheffield United. Shaw’s personal moment of redemption came in a goalless draw with Liverpool at Anfield in which he almost single-handedly kept Mohamed Salah quiet and was named Man of the Match as a result.<\/p>\n

    That performance at Anfield has been accompanied by a number of other solid defensive displays as part of a settled back line that has been vital to Man Utd’s title challenge particularly since the start of 2021. In the five Premier League games since the start of the new year, Man Utd have kept two clean sheets while also conceding just four goals<\/p>\n

    \n

    Luke Shaw<\/strong><\/h2>\n