“Luke Shaw has been having serious Injury problems. We can’t have that type of player here. He can’t play up to 10 games each season. We need to secure the talented Spanish Left-back before he decides to go back to Real Madrid”-Erik ten Hag makes his feelings clear after finding perfect Luke Shaw alternative at Manchester United after contacting the player and his agent.

Luke Shaw is considered Manchester United’s primary left-back when he is fully fit. However, manager Erik ten Hag has hinted at the possibility of a long-term replacement following a recent performance in that position.

Shaw joined United in 2014 as one of the brightest young prospects in football. Now at 29 years old, he has made 275 appearances for the club, scoring four goals and securing both the FA Cup and League Cup during his tenure at Old Trafford. Unfortunately, his career has been marred by persistent injuries, including a serious double leg fracture sustained in 2015 during a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven.

This season, Shaw has yet to play due to injury, with his last outing for United dating back to February, when he participated in a victory against Luton Town. Despite being sidelined from club action, he was included in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024. Shaw’s contract with United runs until 2027, and the team also has other left-back options like Tyrell Malacia and Noussair Mazraoui. While Mazraoui was brought in from Bayern Munich as a right-back, his versatility allows him to fill roles on both sides.

Emerging as a potential left-back option is 20-year-old Toby Collyer. Primarily a holding midfielder, Collyer has made three appearances this season, making his first-team debut during the Community Shield loss to Manchester City. He also came off the bench in a Premier League match against Liverpool, which ended in a 3-0 defeat.

Collyer earned his first start for United in the Carabao Cup third-round clash, where he played left-back in a commanding 7-0 victory over League One side Barnsley. This match marked United’s largest win under Ten Hag and has drawn attention to Collyer’s potential in that position.

Commenting on Collyer’s left-back performance, Ten Hag noted, “It was his first time playing as a left-back—he’s had some experience in training, but this was his debut in the role. He started a bit shaky, but after some time, he found his rhythm, and as a team, we got into shape.”

Collyer’s strong showing may provide Ten Hag with a valuable option as he considers future squad developments for the team.