Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Michael Carrick is preparing Manchester United for the start of a first Champions League campaign since 2023, and he’s taken an important step toward success.
The UEFA Champions League draw for 2026/27 has pitted Manchester United on a tough path, which begins this week with the on-paper easiest outing against Sabah from Azerbaijan.
Sabah come to Old Trafford on Thursday, and it represents a golden opportunity for Michael Carrick to rotate his team early and answer the questions over him not doing so.
In particular, the change of Luke Shaw against Sabah was absolutely vital. Thankfully, Carrick is going to make it, which is a key step toward him being a success at the club.
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Luke Shaw out of Sabah clash is excellent news for Harry Amass
Shaw was much improved against Everton, but regardless, he always had to drop out of the team against Sabah because he would not have been able to play three times in a week.
Shaw missed United training on Wednesday, before Carrick confirmed he was a doubt to play against the Azerbaijani side on Thursday, not necessarily injured, but unable to play through fitness.
This takes the decision out of Carrick’s hands, but it is a huge positive, because it was a necessary change, with Shaw’s record of fitness never going to cope with the game load.
So, no Shaw means Carrick can and should unleash Harry Amass, finally, against a team that could allow him to show his quality on the ball while not being given a baptism of fire without the ball.
Amass proved himself capable during pre-season with performances that stacked up against Shaw’s, and it would be hard to expect much more from a full-back.
Shaw was brilliant to assist Benjamin Sesko’s goal against Everton, but Amass offers those overlapping runs and crosses far more regularly, meaning he might end up viewed as an upgrade.
Carrick may have been left high and dry by the club without reinforcements at left-back, but by playing Amass against Sabah and subsequent mid-week games, he will help Ineos fail upwards by finding a better option already at the club.
If Carrick is going to be successful at United, he needs to take Shaw out and play Amass for any fixture congestion. He has therefore passed this test.
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Amass may actually overtake Shaw at Manchester United
There has been a lot of talk that United are waiting to sign Lewis Hall in 12 months time, but the truth is Carrick needs a Shaw replacement now.
Shaw was poor in the first two games of the season and could have done more to deny Everton’s first goal in the 2-2 draw, highlighting again how worrying his lack of mobility and athleticism is.
United are having to carry Shaw right now, similar to Casemiro last season, and therefore, the position really should be Amass’ for the taking.
A strong showing against Sabah earns Amass a start in the cup next week, which is against Premier League opposition and a proper chance for Carrick to see what the 19-year-old is capable of.