Manchester United chiefs are said to be harbouring doubts over Luke Shaw’s ‘ability’ to stay fit in a season in which the side will be looking to compete on all fronts.
The full-back has, to everybody’s surprise, been available to start every Premier League fixture this term.
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Why United are worried about Shaw’s availability
However, with Champions League football poised to be added to the schedule and, you’d expect, considerably better cup runs, ESPN’s Rob Dawson claims ‘there’s concern’ surrounding Shaw’s situation.
The United faithful are well aware that the defender has been the most injury-plagued player in the ranks at Old Trafford pretty much ever since he joined the squad in 2014.
Appearances Injured Minutes played
318 231 24,666
(Shaw’s record in all competitions for United)
It’s unfortunate because, when fit and firing, Shaw has so frequently proven he can be one of the best in the Premier League in his position.
Who can fill in for Shaw if he’s ruled out?
Should he sustain an injury early doors in 2026/2027, it would leave Patrick Dorgu, Harry Amass and Diego Leon as the options to replace him.
Dorgu is a left-back by trade, but Dawson adds that the ‘technical staff’ believe he is more ‘effective further forward’, as he had proven before his own layoff back in January, so it’s unlikely United would want to call upon him.
Diogo Dalot is capable of deputising, but that would then leave the right-hand side of the backline short, with only Noussair Mazraoui left to cover all matches.
It remains to be seen whether INEOS will look to pursue a Shaw successor in the coming months. United have been linked with Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly on numerous occasions in recent weeks, and the Gunners are reportedly open to a sale.
Process to renew Mikel Arteta’s contract at Arsenal underway and to recommence in the summer. Early optimism over positive outcome. Plus – Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri futures in doubt amid a sharper focus on outgoings this summer. https://t.co/ZOzfpJXeVP
— Sami Mokbel (@SamiMokbel_BBC) April 9, 2026
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