Paul Parker challenges Carrick: Upgrade Luke Shaw or promote youth

Paul Parker has thrown down a blunt challenge to Michael Carrick ahead of his first full season in charge at Manchester United – upgrade Luke Shaw at left-back or promote from within.

Carrick is reshaping his squad after Casemiro’s exit, with the club moving quickly to reinforce midfield. Andrey Santos has arrived from Chelsea, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, while Karl Darlow has joined from Leeds United to back up Senne Lammens after the Belgian’s impressive debut campaign at Old Trafford.

The rebuild, though, is far from finished. One position, in Parker’s eyes, cannot be ignored.

“Luke Shaw isn’t good enough”

Shaw started all 38 Premier League games last season, the first time he has managed that since his £30 million move in 2014. For Parker, that stat masks a bigger problem.

Speaking to Betarades.gr, the former United defender was brutally clear.

“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,” Parker said, referencing Patrick Dorgu’s role and how it might affect the defensive shape.

“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.

“Luke Shaw can’t run and he can’t defend or attack, so what do you need him for? Dalot is always going to be an issue when he plays as well, especially if they play him on the left back.”

United have already been linked with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall, while Myles Lewis-Skelly has also been offered to the club in recent days as options on the left side are assessed.

Parker’s view is simple: if Dorgu is used higher up the pitch, Carrick must find a specialist left-back – and quickly.

A call for Harry Amass

If United decide not to buy, Parker wants Carrick to be bold.

He name-checked teenager Harry Amass as the player who should be trusted ahead of Shaw if the club choose not to go into the market.

“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.”

For Parker, United stand at a crossroads on that flank: commit to youth or invest in a ready-made starter. What he does not see is a future where Shaw remains first choice.

Doubts over Andrey Santos deal

Parker’s concerns are not limited to left-back. He also questioned the logic behind the signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea.

“The Andrey Santos signing did catch me by surprise,” he admitted.

“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 now faces a defining few weeks: settle his midfield around a largely unknown quantity in Santos, decide whether to trust Shaw, and choose between the transfer market or the club’s own academy at left-back.