All the talk around Manchester United seems to concentrate on Ruben Amorim’s system these days, and one player at the club has admitted he’s not playing in his ideal position.
The three at the back formation has forced many players out of their comfort zones, not least captain Bruno Fernandes, who is playing in a deeper role.
Amad is playing as a wing-back after making his name as a right-winger/attacking midfielder, while Bryan Mbeumo flourished on the right at Brentford.
Kobbie Mainoo can’t get a game in a midfield two either, and now another Man Utd ace has admitted that he’s missing his ideal position. He’s let the manager know about it.
Luke Shaw and Harry Amass celebrate as Manchester United beat Lyon.
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Luke Shaw on new Man Utd role under Ruben Amorim
In an ideal world, Ruben Amorim takes over at Man Utd to see a dynamic and fearless 18-year-old Luke Shaw at Old Trafford.
That is the dream, obviously, because the reality is that Amorim took over a husk of Shaw, whose body and vast potential got ravaged by injuries.
The best version of Shaw would be Amorim’s ideal wing-back, almost tailor-made to dominate both ends of the pitch, but the current version of Shaw just can’t handle that role every game.
As such, Amorim has used his brilliant ball-progression skills in a deeper role as the left centre-back.
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He has enough impact on the buildup in that role and is even good for the odd overlap. However, the role is just not as dynamic as the wing-back role would have been.
Shaw, speaking to Sky, admitted that he misses playing as the left-back/left wing-back, and the manager knows that that’s the case.
He said: “I think I do still see myself as more of a left wing back/left back sort of role. I think the manager does know that, but I think, at the end of the day, it’s up to the manager and the teams he selects.
“No matter where the manager wants to put me, I’m happy to just be on the pitch and give everything I can. I think [left centre-back] is still an important role.
“We start the build-up, so it’s important we’re good on the ball. But it’s not as much as I’m used to. I do miss it [playing left-back/left wing-back]. I’m still learning and adapting to the new position.”
Shaw can revitalise Man Utd career in new position
It’s understandable that Shaw feels slightly shackled in the centre-back role, but the reality is that Amorim is making the best decision not just for the team, but for Shaw as well.
Playing and learning a new role is much better than sticking to the old one and risking the body breaking down under an immense physical load.
More importantly, in an ideal Ruben Amorim team, the wide centre-back is as much a full-back as he is a central defender.
As the team gels together and comes to grips with Amorim’s demands, Shaw’s attacking responsibilities will increase, and he can put more of his full-back game to good use.
For now, getting the basics right and keeping things ticking is more important. For a player of Shaw’s quality, that shouldn’t be too difficult.