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Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag told to replace 'poor' first-team star with new summer signing
Erik ten Hag has been advised to replace a key Manchester United starter in the summer transfer window.
Man Utd's next six Premier League fixtures
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has been urged to sign a replacement for Luke Shaw. Former England midfielder Carlton Palmer says the left-back is a "poor" defender and believes the Red Devils must upgrade to become title challengers next season.
Shaw has started 21 Premier League matches so far this term and has also been a regular in Europe and the domestic cup competitions. He has even been used as a centre-back at times in the absence of Lisandro Martinez.
But following his red card in England's win over Italy on Thursday, Palmer has given a strong verdict on the 27-year-old. He says Shaw escapes criticism a lot more than he should and has defensive weaknesses like Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Palmer told talkSPORT: "I don’t know how Shaw gets away with it, I really don’t. I think he’s a poor, poor defender.
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"I think he’s had a decent season at United, but I think he’s a poor defender. Every time he comes up and is asked the question about defending, he can’t, he fails.
"How he doesn’t get sent off more often, I don’t know. I hear all the arguments about Trent Alexander-Arnold and I see that he has some defensive frailties but I think he’s a terrific player and offers a lot going forward."
Tyrell Malacia was brought in by Ten Hag last summer to bolster his options at left-back. But Palmer is seemingly not a fan of the Dutchman either.
He claims there is no alternative to Shaw at Old Trafford and believes a summer signing must be made if United are to become serious title contenders. Palmer added: "No, Ten Hag hasn’t got any other alternatives at the moment.
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"I think next season when they will be genuinely going to have a tilt at the title, I think they will have brought in another left-back. I look at him, I don’t think he looks fit.
"First and foremost, he’s in the United side or England side to defend, and I look at him whenever he’s asked to defend… I mean it would upset me to be honest with you.
"If I’m not playing well like [Harry] Maguire, but if he’s being picked ahead of me at centre-back, I’d have gone and knocked on the door and I’d have been away. Full stop.
"I’m not bothered about my contract. If you’re picking Shaw at centre-back ahead of me, I’m gone."
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