Paul Parker urges Carrick to replace Luke Shaw as left-back
Paul Parker has delivered a blunt message to Michael Carrick ahead of his first full season in charge at Manchester United: Luke Shaw should not be the club’s first-choice left-back anymore.
Shaw, 31, started all 38 Premier League games last season for the first time since his £30million move from Southampton in 2014. He finally put together the consistent run of fitness and selection he had been chasing for a decade. It still has not convinced Parker.
The former United defender believes Carrick must be ruthless on that side of the defence if his rebuild is going to stick.
“They really need a mobile fullback with agility who can defend properly as well and a player who can do a job up and down the pitch,” Parker told Betarades.gr, before turning the spotlight firmly on Shaw.
“Luke Shaw can’t run and he can’t defend or attack, so what do you need him for?” he said. “Dalot is always going to be an issue when he plays as well, especially if they play him on the left back.”
Left-back high on United’s to-do list
Carrick and United have already moved aggressively in other areas. Casemiro’s departure forced a reset in midfield and the club responded by bringing in Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. Karl Darlow has arrived from Leeds United to back up Senne Lammens after the Belgian’s impressive debut season in goal at Old Trafford.
But the left side of defence remains under review. United have identified left-back as a position to strengthen, with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall linked with a move to Old Trafford. Myles Lewis-Skelly has also been offered to the club in recent days as options are weighed.
For Parker, the need is obvious. His view is that if Patrick Dorgu is used higher up the pitch, the club simply cannot go into the season with Shaw as the undisputed starter.
“I expect from Patrick Dorgu what I saw from him before he got injured, but I need to see it on a regular basis,” Parker said. “I don’t know where he is going to play. Will he play at left back or as a winger? I think it will be as a winger.
“If the plan is to play him as a winger, then the club seriously needs a new left back because Luke Shaw isn’t good enough.”
A push for Harry Amass
If United decide against signing a left-back, Parker does not want to see them default to Shaw. He wants them to take a bolder route.
He has thrown his support behind teenager Harry Amass, who spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and caught the eye before injury cut short his run.
“I saw Harry Amass play a couple of games for Sheffield Wednesday and up until the injury all the Wednesday fans were completely raving about him,” Parker said. “Absolutely raving about him, so maybe it is time to give him the opportunity?
“The club should be better at introducing young players like him and give them a run. In my opinion, he needs a run, not just a couple of games.
“Something needs to happen and in my opinion they have to bring in a left back or decide to play Amass there, but I just doubt they will do it which is the reason I said they have to bring in a left back.”
It is a stark choice as Parker sees it: invest decisively in a new starter or trust the academy product. Sticking with the status quo is not on his list.
Doubts over Andrey Santos
Parker’s scepticism is not limited to the left side of defence. He also questioned United’s move for Andrey Santos, even as he hopes the Brazilian turns out to be a Carrick-driven signing rather than a committee pick.
“The Andrey Santos signing did catch me by surprise,” he admitted.
Parker revealed he had canvassed opinion from a close friend who follows Chelsea home and away, looking for insight into the midfielder.
“I was with a friend the other day who is a big Chelsea fan and goes to all the games, so I asked him about Andrey Santos. I just said that he should tell me about Andrey Santos but he couldn’t tell me much because he said Santos didn’t start many games, which I can obviously see myself as well.
“So, I am hoping it is a Michael Carrick signing rather than other people in the club just wanting him, but I still need to see more from Andrey Santos before I can give a proper verdict.
“I can’t really remember him that much to be honest and I think a lot of people are feeling the same. Is he going to be one of the starting eleven? I actually hope so, because it is not good enough if he was just brought in to be a squad player. We don’t need that kind of player coming in.”
Carrick’s first full season is already framed by big calls in key areas. Parker has made his stance clear: the new era cannot be built on familiar comfort. It has to start with hard decisions, and for him, that means moving on from Luke Shaw at left-back.
