Why Luke Shaw’s Man United career could be over already
Published:
Luke Shaw’s Manchester United career could be over before it’s even begun if reports linking the Red Devils to Fabio Coentrao are to be believed.
United failed with a last-ditch attempt in January this year to land the Real Madrid left-back, but the Red Devils are poised to test the waters again with Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti ready to listen to offers.
Reports suggest Ancelotti is looking to bring in fresh faces at full back in the winter window and rates Marcelo higher than Coentrao, paving the way for the Portugal ace to leave.
United are seemingly well stocked in the left-back area with Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind all capable of operating there.
However, Shaw has played just once in the league for United following his £30m switch from Southampton and even then only as Van Gaal’s first choice players were either injured or suspended.
Coentrao is represented by super agent Jorge Mendes and it is said that Van Gaal will lean on Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao – who also share the agent – to convince the player his future lies at Old Trafford.
This could spell the beginning of the end already for Shaw, who has already been criticised by the Manchester United boss for turning up to pre-season training out of shape despite featuring for England in the World Cup.
Should Coentrao arrive Shaw would surely be deemed surplus to requirements and at best could hope to be sent on loan with a view to breaking into the United first team at a later date.
However, with Patrice Evra and Alex Buttner leaving – and given his £30m price tag – the teenager would have been expecting to play a bigger role in United’s bid to reach the top four – a feat currently priced at 8/13.
United host Everton this weekend as 4/6 favourites for the win but whether Shaw will retain his place in the starting line-up or not remains to be seen.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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