Paul Parker urges Carrick to replace Luke Shaw at left-back
Paul Parker has called on Michael Carrick to rip up his plans at left-back and move on from Luke Shaw, insisting the Manchester United defender “isn’t good enough” to start for the club any longer.
Carrick is gearing up for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford and has already overseen a significant reshaping of the squad. The midfield has been the priority after Casemiro’s departure, with Andrey Santos arriving from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa to refresh the engine room.
Karl Darlow has also joined from Leeds United to back up Senne Lammens, who impressed in goal during his debut campaign in Manchester. Recruitment, though, is far from finished. Inside the club, left-back has been ringed in red as a position that needs attention.
Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, while Myles Lewis-Skelly has been offered to United in recent days. The interest underlines a growing feeling that Shaw’s grip on the position is weakening.
Shaw started all 38 Premier League matches last season for the first time since his £30 million move in 2014. Even that durability hasn’t convinced Parker.
Concerns Over Dorgu
The former United defender, speaking to Betarades.gr, set out his concerns while discussing Patrick Dorgu’s role next season.
“I expect from Patrick Dorgu what I saw from him before he got injured, but I need to see it on a regular basis,” Parker said. “I don’t know where he is going to play. Will he play at left back or as a winger? I think it will be as a winger.
“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.
“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.”
Parker’s criticism is blunt and leaves little room for compromise. For him, United either act in the market or take a bold leap with youth.
If Carrick and the hierarchy decide against signing a new left-back, Parker wants to see teenager Harry Amass promoted and trusted instead of Shaw.
“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,” he 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.”
Parker’s doubts stretch beyond the back four. He also questioned United’s move for Andrey Santos, a player who struggled for minutes at Chelsea.
“The Andrey Santos signing did catch me by surprise,” Parker 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 faces a clear challenge from one of the club’s former defenders: commit to a new, more dynamic left-back or trust a fearless teenager. Either way, Parker has made his stance unmistakable—United cannot afford to stand still on that flank.
