The emergence of Brandon Williams has prompted Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to alter his immediate transfer plans and left Luke Shaw fighting to save his Manchester United career.
Shaw is set to make his comeback from his most recent injury set-back this evening having missed 16 matches in all competitions.
The England international will feature in a much-changed United side against Astana in a Europa League dead rubber in Kazakhstan this afternoon alongside youngsters Ethan Laird, Di Shon Bernard and Dylan Levitt.
Solskjaer had been considering adding a new left-back to his squad with Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell, who is also being monitored by Chelsea and Manchester City, shortlisted by the United boss.
Such has been the impression made by 19-year-old Williams, however, that Solskjaer, according to The Times, has shelved plans to sign a new left-sided defender.
Williams made his debut against Rochdale in the Carabao Cup in September and has virtually made the position his own having been singled out for praise following the recent win over Brighton, while his goal against Sheffield United at the weekend sparked what was an impressive comeback prior to Oli McBurnie’s 90th minute equaliser.
Shaw, meanwhile, has made just 75 Premier League appearances since his £30million move from Southampton five years ago.
Maintaining fitness, particularly following the broken leg he sustained in September 2015, has been an ongoing problem for the 24-year-old, while he was regularly singled out for criticism by Jose Mourinho during his tempestuous tenure.
Shaw appeared to have been one of the main beneficiaries from Solskjaer’s appointment, winning United’s Player of the Season as recently as May but is now firmly second choice behind Williams who has been left back in England with the majority of the first team squad.
Jesse Lingard, another senior player struggling for form, will captain the team against Astana and Lee Grant will make his first start in goal since signing from Stoke 18 months ago.
‘It’s common sense [to play the young players],’ Solskjaer said at his pre-match press conference.
‘We’ve done great to qualify after four games so it gives us an opportunity to give game time to the experienced lads who need it and to give the kids games against men.’
MORE: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms seven starters for Manchester United’s clash against Astana
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from Football – Metro https://ift.tt/2rw6I8o
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