The answer to Man Utd’s left-back woes is a short socks technical beast – & he’s only 16

It’s the dawn of a new era at Manchester United with Sir Jim Ratcliffe officially in as a minority owner, but it’ll take a while for the bad habits and collateral damage of yesteryear to be fully weeded out.

What’s the collateral damage, you ask?

You didn’t ask, actually, because if you’ve been living on planet Earth and taken even the slightest interest in football in the last 15 years, you’d know all about how much of a circus it’s been at United, with ugly truths rearing their heads for fun in the post-Fergie era.

We’re not going to open that can of worms now – that’s a can for Sir Jim and his cycling/petrochemical buddies to open – but one thing we do need to address is the left-back situation in Erik ten Hag’s squad.

A return to form after a difficult end to 2023 has papered over some cracks, but also been a sign of what United can be capable of with a fully fit side.

Unfortunately for Ten Hag, the Luke Shaw dilemma continues to persist. That dilemma being his fantastic double act of being both one of football’s most gifted and talented left-backs, but also being made of glass.

Shaw has been one of United’s best players in recent seasons and has shaken off inconsistencies to establish himself as one of the best full-backs in the game – when fit.

He’s United’s Alfa Romeo, is Shaw. Stylish, slick, one of a kind and the car you’ve had the pleasure of owning for years. But also the car that’s given you sleepless nights, several roadside recoveries and an expensive medical bill to pay.

That’s why selling Alvaro Fernandez and cancelling Sergio Reguilon’s loan deal – while Tyrell Malacia is also injured – made no sense at first. Thankfully, Harry Amass has emerged, the stars have aligned and now Ten Hag’s masterplan all suddenly