Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Luke Shaw is nearing 'unstoppable' form for Manchester United.
Shaw, 24, has started the last six matches - three in a left central defensive role - but returned to full-back for the 3-0 win over Watford and excelled again.
The England international's resurgence has coincided with United keeping five clean sheets in their last six and Shaw is pushing for a recall to the national squad for the Wembley friendlies with Italy and Denmark next month.
Shaw bailed the United defence out early on against Watford after an errant Victor Lindelof pass sparked confusion between Harry Maguire and Nemanja Matic to let Troy Deeney in. Solskjaer entered the technical area in the fourth minute to berate the lackadaisical starters indebted to Shaw.
"That was two minutes too late," Solskjaer said. "The start we had was an absolute shambles. That chance we give them after two minutes with Harry and Nemanja, if we had conceded that one add to the one we nearly conceded at Bruges, that would have been two calamity goals.
"But Luke did fantastic, Luke's performance today was absolutely top. They needed waking up, we needed to settle the game, and the more the game went on, the fitter, the stronger we looked, more spaces opened up, we found Bruno [Fernandes], we found Dan James. Mason [Greenwood], after 20 or 25 minutes, he really grew into the game."
Shaw could assume his position in a back three against Club Brugge in the Europa League return leg or the Premier League trip to Everton this week. Brandon Williams has started at left wing-back to accommodate Shaw amid greater competition at centre half, with Eric Bailly fit again and Axel Tuanzebe nearing his return.
"I think Luke has been excellent when he has played in that position (left centre-back). He has got more options outside and inside," Solskjaer added. "I think that line sometimes closes him off and he goes back too often as a full-back.
"Today as well; the two or three, four times when he surges forward he is unstoppable and he should do that more. I keep encouraging them to do more of what they're good at and when they listen we'll be a good team."
didbkmrsy
504
I admire Shaw since he played for Southampton...he is such a good player with pace and ball control, but injury harm him. I hope he will be fit and strong from now and improve in attacking(cross) area too...
Arjenrobben11
451
He plays as a defensive full back. In modern football, you need to have attacking full backs. Even AWB plays the same way, but atleast, he has a couple of assists. We have like 7 or 8 CB if we count AWB and Shaw
Jamanoor88
438
I thought Shaw played really well today, dug us out a couple of times and has started to look far more confident going forward again. Bruno is top quality, a peach of a midfielder. I was thinking Greenwood was having a quiet game and then he dropped his shoulder and smashed in an absolute beauty, he’s some finisher. Tony on the scoresheet again, three in a row. Top four still well within reach, we look like we’re making progress, Spurs are on the slide, Sheffield Utd look like they’ll hang around, and Chelsea blow as hot and cold as us. It’s going to be close.
tobabilty
418
He'd be unstoppable if he'd stop going to McDonalds with Hazard [Crylaugh][Crylaugh][Crylaugh]
ishti
340
How we see Luke Shaw and how Jose Mourinho saw him
mbudzeni
334
Problem with Shaw is giving away cheap corner kicks that turn into a goal because we struggle to defend set pieces. Last year against chelsea he did the same and they scored us. yesterday the same and we were lucky VAR ruled out the goal
PierreMushongi
222
What i admire Ole is he noted Luke Shaw was defensively weak so he started him in a 3 man centerbacks to test his might and rediscover his defensive trait...and look what it has brought in him full confidence..timing tackles well amd more afront ablity to play at the back...this is what Man Management is and not just criticizing players like how Mourinho did to Shaw instead of trying a change of shape to try his defensive attributes
sims123
176
he's very good, but I love Brandon Williams.
lukaku////
145
I never trusted this lad all past seasons, but for this form he's catching up my heart.
Bihabdiklm
130
No doubt He is top Talent but he is inconsistent and too fat, He must be consistent and Improve in his fitness and Game. If he improves he will be Englands no 1 Left back
Vikrant7
110
Just when he reaches that peak form, he gets a serious injury and United loose him for 4-5 months.. This cycle has been going on for past 3 season now... Thank God for Ole and Evra for finding Brandon and giving him that game time to compete at highest level❤️