Paul Parker Challenges Carrick to Fix Manchester United’s Left Side

Paul Parker has thrown down a blunt challenge to Michael Carrick before his first full season in charge at Manchester United: replace Luke Shaw or risk carrying a major weakness into the campaign.

Carrick is reshaping his squad after Casemiro’s exit, with United moving quickly to reinforce midfield. Andrey Santos has arrived from Chelsea, Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, while Karl Darlow has come in from Leeds United to provide cover for Senne Lammens after the Belgian’s impressive debut year at Old Trafford.

But for Parker, the real problem sits out on the left of the back four.

‘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. The numbers don’t sway Parker.

Speaking to Betarades.gr, the former United defender made his stance crystal 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, referring to Patrick Dorgu’s role and what that might mean for the defensive balance.

“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 identified left-back as a position to address. Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, while Myles Lewis-Skelly has also been offered to the club in recent days.

The interest is there. Parker wants it to turn into action.

‘Give Harry Amass a run’

If United decide against dipping into the market, Parker does not want to see Shaw simply keep his place by default. He would rather Carrick gamble on youth.

“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.”

The message is uncompromising: either sign a starter or back the teenager, but stop leaning on Shaw.

Questions over Andrey Santos

Parker’s concerns do not stop at left-back. He also raised an eyebrow at the signing of Andrey Santos, a player who struggled for minutes at 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 stands at a crucial point in his rebuild. The midfield has fresh faces, the goalkeeping department has depth, and targets are circling at left-back.

The question is simple, and Parker has already supplied his answer: will Carrick be bold enough to rip up the old hierarchy on the left and trust his own judgment?