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The Man Utd defender has only made three appearances this season and is close to making a fourth.
A damning milestone could be reached when Manchester United face Nottingham Forest tomorrow night. Bruno Fernandes will make his 278th appearance for the club, as many as Luke Shaw has managed. Fernandes joined in January 2020, Shaw joined in June 2014.
The stat not only highlights the incredible consistency and availability of the current United captain, it also highlights the injury hell and fitness issues Shaw has had to endure in recent years. When fit, the 29-year-old is still one of the world's best in his position, but it's not a luxury United have been blessed with all too often in recent seasons.
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It was a big boost to have Shaw back in training last week, though it does not mean he will be thrown back into the squad when they face Forest tomorrow night. Ruben Amorim is aware he can't rush injured players back into action and will want to take an element of caution as he integrates Shaw again.
Luke Shaw could be handed unlikely lifeline
The England left-back has missed almost four months of action and only made three substitute appearances all season. He has not started for United since their victory at Luton on 18 February 2024, and there are obvious concerns about whether he will be able to meet the physical demands of Amorim's system.
Shaw has to be viewed as a potential backup option for Patrick Dorgu at left wing-back, though he could be handed an unlikely lifeline as the left-sided centre-back in their current tactical approach. He has impressed in this position previously, mainly under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, where he filled in as an auxiliary central defender, a role that showcased his composure on the ball and protected his energy more than playing on the flank.
Amorim is already blessed with a versatile collection of centre-backs capable of playing across the backline, but with Lisandro Martinez and Ayden Heaven both currently sidelined, he lacks a left-footed specialist, so vital to their style of play. The Portuguese head coach sees great value in having that balance in his backline to open up different passing avenues and provide more variety in their build-up play.
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It would still be a surprise if Shaw was thrown into the starting lineup anytime soon, and the immediate focus has to be on building up his fitness, but when he is available, there is an opening in the side that he is uniquely suited to at the moment in time. With questions mounting over his suitability to the squad beyond this summer, if he can prove himself as a centre-back, then perhaps a summer exit won't be as certain as it once seemed.
One look at his injury record and you might not be so Shaw though.
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