Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag praised Luke Shaw following his two outstanding performances in a different position.
The Englishman was deployed at centre-back last week due to Lisandro Martinez being unavailable and Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof both suffering from illness.
Shaw partnered Raphael Varane against Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers and offered two faultless displays, despite being out of his comfort zone.
Naturally, Shaw is a left-back and has been in fine form throughout the first half of the season, which may be because of the added competition in Tyrell Malacia, who was signed in the summer to rival the role on the left.
Ten Hag gives both defenders adequate game time but it is clear that the first choice in recent months has been the 27-year-old. The tactical change last week allowed both players to start consecutive matches, picking up two clean sheets in the process.
Tomorrow evening, United take on Bournemouth in an evening Premier League clash. Ten Hag will have the option of starting World Cup champion Martinez, but he will know Shaw is there if ever an alternative central defender is required.
Ten Hag on defensive changes
Speaking to MUTV, the boss said: “We have seen in the last two games [that Shaw could play at left centre-back often]. I think he did fabulous and was impressive. But we also know he is really good as a full-back [so] it’s an extra option and [that] is always good for a team.”
He then addressed the Reds’ 1-0 away win to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, adding: “I thought it was the best match with Rapha and Shaw. Especially defending-wise, we know the speed from Wolves over on the right side, and he [Shaw] could cover that because we wanted to attack over on the left side with offensive game from Tyrell Malacia, so that was a good fit.”
