Luke Shaw’s recent resurgence: The full-back’s scintillating form has given Gareth Southgate a selection headache

Luke Shaw’s recent resurgence in form has optimised Manchester United in recent months.

The English full-back has forced himself into Gareth Southgate’s plans with Euro 2021 on the horizon in June.

The 25-year-old has been a pivotal part of Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side this season making 19 Premier League appearances despite United signing Brazilian Alex Telles in the summer to fill a void that had been noted by the manager.

The Surrey-born Englishman has cemented himself as one of the first names on the team sheet, his leadership, focus and experience ensuring he’s an indispensable figure to Solskjær.

Shaw took a turning point after a 6-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in October, after the defender was at fault for a pleura of goals shipped that afternoon. Since the result the Red Devils have only conceded 19 goals in over three months which is a huge turnout compared to last year.

Solskjaer has showed faith in the English full-back, and his man-of-the-match performance at Anfield last month showcases the excellent progression Shaw has made this season.

His concentration has been doubted in the past but he showed against Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah that he is able to compete against the league’s best forwards. His aggression in the tackle, tenacity to stay with the Egyptian at every turn or piece of movement the forward made was rightly praised by every his boss.

This was one of Shaw’s best performances for the club as he recorded a staggering of 100% tackles won, 81% pass accuracy, eight ball recoveries, four clearances and two chances created at Anfield.

Despite the Englishman being a full-back, he has created the second most chances this season for Manchester United (26), second only to who else, but Bruno Fernandes (56).

Even after winning United’s Sir Matt Busby Player Of The Year award back in 2019, Shaw has had his best year for the club so far.

“Potentially we have the best left back in England. Luke has the potential to be the best one, and that is the great challenge for him now,’ he said in the 2019-20 campaign.

‘When you have the talent of Luke, when that fitness and the mental bit is sorted, then you are always going to get good performances,’ more recently Solskjaer told the Manchester United website.

His versatility is a huge asset as he is comfortable playing within both a four or three at the back as evidenced during the superb win against PSG in October.

Shaw’s flexibility could also aid England’s Euro 2021 squad as manager Southgate continues to tinker between both a back four and three. Should the Manchester United full-back continue to progress in this current trajectory, it will certain that Southgate will have a selection issue come the summer.

The national team boss does not have the depth of quality he would like on the left side of his defence, with Ben Chilwell his first-choice left back at present. Kieran Trippier has been trialled at the role but failed to impress while Bukayo Saka is knocking on the door given the youngster’s versatility.

Shaw’s form has put him in pole position for a call up this summer which will be his first international cap since England’s Nations League defeat by Spain in September 2018.

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