Ruben Amorim could be about to prove Gary Neville right at Manchester United

Head coach Ruben Amorim has refused to rule out the possibility of Luke Shaw making his first start for Manchester United since February when Bodo/Glimt visit Old Trafford on Thursday night.

The defender made his first United appearance in 280 days on Sunday, stepping off the bench in the second half of the 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

Making his first appearance in United colours since being withdrawn just before half-time in the 2-1 win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on February 18, the England international replaced Jonny Evans with 56 minutes on the clock in Suffolk.

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Having replaced the Northern Irishman, Shaw slotted in at left-sided centre-back, operating with Matthijs de Ligt to his right and Diogo Dalot ahead of him as the left-sided wing-back.

Following Amorim's appointment earlier this month, United were immediately expected to transition into a 3-4-3 system, and so it proved at Portman Road. The Portuguese chief is eager to transform United's style of play as quickly as possible.

Having spent so much of 2024 on the treatment table, Shaw will be eager to make up for lost time in his attempts to impress Amorim. The prospect of him starting the Europa League tussle with Bodo/Glimt at Old Trafford has not been dismissed.

Amorim said: "Luke is healthy. So let's see if he plays in the starting XI or not. We will see."

Should he be declared fit enough to start, it is possible he could occupy the left-sided centre-back berth. Lisandro Martinez, despite being set to be available for Thursday night's game, is overcoming a back injury and might not be risked from the start.

United are light on left-footed centre-backs, meaning Shaw could become a direct competitor for Martinez in the race to win the left-sided centre-back role. And it is a role former United captain Gary Neville has already said he could see the former Southampton man comfortably fulfilling.

Neville, speaking to Sky Sports earlier this week, said: "Luke Shaw, if he can keep fit. That left centre-back needs to eventually be able to play out as a left-back, so he is well suited to do both."

Shaw, when he is fit and and injury-free, is one of the best left-footed defenders in the world. He starred in Erik ten Hag's first season at Old Trafford, playing some of the best football of his career.

Although he made the bulk of his appearances in 2022/23 as a natural left-back, he was sometimes tasked with sliding across and operating as the left-sided centre-back in a back-four.

"He has also the tactical feel to make the right decisions and he has the technical skills as well to play that position," said Ten Hag, speaking after United's 2-1 win over Manchester City at Old Trafford in January 2023.

Having mastered the art of playing as a central defender in a back-four, Shaw should find it even easier to play in a three-man defence because of his ball playing credentials. He will assist with United's quest to play the ball out from the back and build through the thirds.

He is comfortable in possession and his passing range is not to be sniffed at. If he can prove his fitness, he could be a key figure in Amorim's plans, both as a centre-back and as a wing-back.

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