It is commonly agreed that one of the big reasons for Manchester United’s recent upturn in form has been he deployment of Daley Blind at left back.
While he doesn’t have the pace of many a top, modern full back, his composure, distribution and ability to look after the ball, has made him a firm favourite amongst Manchester United fans.
What we really like about him is that he never gets flustered under pressure. It’s almost as if he completely ignores the opposition when they are breathing down his neck. He plays at his own pace and either calmly finds a team mate or draws the foul – this guy is ice cool.
And this could mean serious problems for Luke Shaw in the medium term. Bought for a king’s ransom, the 19 year old could find his route to the first team blocked for a long time. Blind is only 25 himself and it would take a bold man to drop him right now.
Michael Carrick has been imperious in the anchor man role. He has a better passing range than Blind and, at 33, still looks on top of his game. Few would be surprised if Manchester United also bought another central midfielder in the summer. So it looks ever more likely that Blind will remain at left-back – particularly if Louis sticks with his preferred 4-3-3 formation.
So perhaps the best chance of Shaw getting in the team in the forseeable future is on the left wing. It would be just the sort of innovative tactic that Louis van Gaal is famous for and the player himself admitted that he may one day play further up the park.
“I’m always learning, especially with the different formations it will help me in the long run to maybe become a forward player – on the wing or something.”
The future of Angel Di Maria is very uncertain right now. And with Ashley Young about to turn 30, Shaw could find himself getting some minutes on the wing before long. He has many of the same qualities as Young but with more pace.
It may not be the most likely course of action, but Louis van Gaal is well-known for making such unlikely decisions. Few, for example would have picked Juan Mata on the right side, but he has blossomed there.
We feel that Shaw has a big future at Manchester United but he may have to wait for the left-back spot and some outings on the wing in the interim might not do him, or the team, any harm.
