Newcastle United are reportedly keeping tabs on the situation of out-of-favour Manchester United defender Luke Shaw.
Newcastle United are interested in signing Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw. That is according to Football Insider, who claim Eddie Howe’s side are now keeping tabs on the England defender as they look to bolster their full-back options.
The story of Luke Shaw’s career at Manchester United has been a rather curious one. Once regarded as one of the most talented teenage full-backs in English football, the 27-year-old has endured a topsy-turvy spell at Old Trafford, marred by niggling injury problems and a well-documented fallout with Jose Mourinho.
Shaw has largely been Manchester United’s first-choice left-back in the past four years. He has racked up over 200 competitive appearances for the Mancunian giants, notching up three goals and 22 assists in the process. He has helped United win the UEFA Europa League, EFL Cup, and Community Shield during his tenure.
He enjoyed a phenomenal season under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020/21, where he was arguably the best left-back in the division. Shaw even scored the opener in the UEFA Euro 2020 final last year.
But it is safe to say the English defender has struggled for form ever since. And after a pretty anonymous 2021/22 campaign, he now finds himself behind summer recruit Tyrell Malacia in the left-back pecking order under Erik ten Hag.
Shaw has already entered the final year of his contract at the club. And while Manchester United have the option to extend it for another year, it is thought the Red Devils would be willing to listen to potential offers on the table as they look to cash in on the 27-year-old while his stock is still relevant, with Newcastle United eyeing a move for the United left-back.
The Magpies see the 27-year-old defender as an upgrade over current full-back options Matt Targett, Jamal Lewis, and Dan Burn, who have all played at left-back for Newcastle this season, according to the above report.
This is not the first time Shaw has been linked with a move to St. James’ Park. Back in 2018, former Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez was keen to bring the Englishman to Tyneside, but nothing ever came to fruition.
At present, Newcastle do not need a full-back with Shaw’s attributes. While there is no denying that the 27-year-old is a decent player and could well resurrect his flailing career under a smart manager like Howe, his defending has left a lot to be desired in the last 12 months or so.
Considering Howe has now started to use Burn as a left-back to make Newcastle more defensively astute, it is highly unlikely the former Bournemouth boss will use another attacking option on the left, with right-back Kieran Trippier more often than not acting as a right midfielder/winger.
Furthermore, Newcastle also have Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie on their left-back roster, making it five options on that side. So, it is not an area of the pitch in need of further reinforcements.
