As Manchester United’s tedious unbeaten run continues, no-one is feeling the wrath of an impatient Jose Mourinho more than Luke Shaw.
That is not to say, however, that the Special One is happy with the rest of his squad.
Part of what makes the Shaw situation so frustrating is that the left-back position has become such a problem for United, and Mourinho’s other options have to shoulder some of the blame for that too.
Daley Blind has been experimented with all over the place; on the left, at centre-back, and in central midfield.
It’s unclear where the Dutchman himself wants to play most, or where he actually fits in best.
Things were marginally better under Louis van Gaal, a close friend of his father Danny, who was recently relieved of his duties as Holland manager.
Since Mourinho arrived, Blind’s playing time has been limited.
The Sun report that he’s now expected to leave the club at the end of the season, given that there’s no new contract on the table.
Ajax are thought to be the most likely destination. His former club sit second in the Eredivisie and are set to speak to United over how significantly the 27-year-old features in their plans.
If he were to remain as a central midfielder, there might be more opportunities for him at Old Trafford with Michael Carrick out of contract. The fact that Blind has been allowed to run down his own deal says a lot, you would expect, about whether United see him as a long-term asset.
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