Shaw may move to centre-back at United

Paul Scholes urges Luke Shaw to switch to centre-back to prolong his time with Manchester United.

Shaw should move to centre-back to extend United career

Paul Scholes believes Luke Shaw should switch permanently from left-back to centre-back to protect his fitness and extend his United career. Shaw, once regarded as one of the Premier League’s best left-backs, has battled recurring injuries that limited him to 12 league appearances in 2023-24 and seven last season. He has occasionally filled in at left-sided centre-back, prompting Scholes to argue that a long-term move inside the defense could keep him on the pitch for more seasons. Shaw recently commented that United are benefiting from a clean squad with no stragglers, a remark Scholes countered by stressing the reality of Shaw’s injury layoff and insisting that, when fit, he remains among the game’s elite.

Manchester United have begun a summer rebuild with two signings, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, and have agreed a £74 million deal for Benjamin Sesko. The club has also seen Rashford go on loan to Barcelona, while Jadon Sancho, Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are linked with departures. Scholes cautioned that there are still gaps in the team and that improving midfield balance and the goalkeeper position will take more work beyond the current window. He noted that Ruben Amorim’s tough approach has brought discipline but warned that no single transfer window will fix all issues ahead of the Premier League opener with Arsenal.

The suggestion that a star left-back should reinvent himself as a central defender reflects a broader trend in modern football: players aging into less physically demanding roles while teams recalibrate a back line around injury histories. United’s signings signal intent, but the real test is whether a positional shift can compensate for gaps in midfield and goalkeeper depth. Scholes frames the move as a practical measure, but it also raises questions about Shaw’s long-term identity at United and whether a defender’s best years can be extended through repositioning. The wider risk is whether this becomes a stopgap fix that slows Shaw’s evolution or a strategic gamble that reshapes the squad’s core dynamics. Amorim’s approach suggests a preference for a fit and flexible squad, yet fans will watch closely how quickly and effectively such shifts translate into consistent results on the pitch.

As United weigh a top-six finish against a rapidly strengthening league, the balance between preserving aging talent and integrating new signings will determine the season’s trajectory. The chosen path—whether it is a more dynamic back line or a recalibrated midfield—will reveal how bold the club’s current leadership intends to be in pursuit of sustained success.

Highlights

Time will tell if a positional shift unlocks United’s ceiling.