Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has lauded Luke Shaw for his individual performance in the derby victory over Manchester City on Saturday.
Shaw started at centre-back alongside Raphael Varane, with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof all named among the substitutes. It was just the fourth time that the England international had started at the heart of defence, but he impressed as the Reds managed to restrict Erling Haaland to no shots on target.
Prior to the World Cup, Martinez and Varane were Erik ten Hag's first-choice centre-backs, but with the former having not returned until late December following Argentina's triumph in Qatar, the United boss has opted for the left-footed Shaw in recent weeks.
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Ferdinand, who was working as a pundit for BT Sport on Saturday afternoon, has suggested that Shaw demonstrated his importance to the Reds with his showing against Pep Guardiola's side.
When asked to name his Man of the Match from the derby victory, Ferdinand told FIVE: "For me, Luke Shaw. Especially the latter stages of the game - a header back-post, a couple of other interceptions, calmness under pressure.
"Luke Shaw, everyone questioned it, should he be playing centre-half, etc. He has told people, 'Listen, I'll play anywhere at the moment and I'm going to give you eight out of 10 minimum'."
The United legend also suggested that Tyrell Malacia - who started at left-back against City - has still got a lot to do in order to reach the levels of Reds great Patrice Evra.
He said: "He's [Malacia] got a lot to do to get to Patrice Evra's levels, I think he'd tell you that himself. He's got to come in the team and stay in there before we start talking Patrice Evra's levels.
"Patrice was a top-tier left-back, if people are talking about Malacia in that vein in a few years, he'll be happy."
Malacia has made just nine starts for Ten Hag's side in the Premier League so far this season, but the 23-year-old Dutchman was impressive against the Blues and could get a run on the left side of defence if Shaw continues to be picked at centre-back.
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