Tyrell Malacia has had a terrific start to his Manchester United career, individually.
After coming on at half-time in the 4-0 drubbing to Brentford, the defender started the wins over Liverpool and Southampton. In the five full halves of football Malacia has played, United have conceded just once.
His display against Liverpool attracted a lot of praise. He muted Mo Salah for most of the game and was not at fault for the Egyptian's headed goal. Malacia has been one of the club’s top performers so far this season, which isn’t good news for Luke Shaw.
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Shaw was replaced by Malacia at half-time in the Brentford thrashing and he hasn’t been given a look-in since. His last participation in a United shirt was scrambling back to try and halt goalscorer Bryan Mbuemo’s bursting run for Brentford’s fourth, in vain.
It has not been mentioned much but, with the World Cup just around the corner, his displacement from United's starting XI will be concerning for Shaw. It would be a surprise if he didn’t make England’s plane to Qatar but his place in Gareth Southgate’s line-up is at risk.
Ben Chilwell losing his place to summer arrival Marc Cucurella at Chelsea softens this blow but Southgate has been known to play Kieran Trippier at left-back, and he has had a very encouraging start to the campaign with Newcastle.
Shaw, then aged 18 years and 11 months, was the youngest player to feature at the 2014 Brazil World Cup when he played the full 90 minutes in England’s dull goalless draw with Costa Rica before heading home after a horrific group stage campaign.
He would have to wait another seven years before featuring at another major tournament for the Three Lions but must have felt it was worth it when he netted in the European Championship final against Italy.
He will be chomping at the bit to pull on the jersey again at this winter’s World Cup - after all, he will be 31 the next time it comes around.
But Shaw is at risk of losing his place in Southgate’s XI if he doesn’t get regular game time. Luckily, he will benefit from the packed schedule ahead of United. From now until the season pauses for the World Cup, United only have three free midweeks.
The Europa League will surely offer Shaw the opportunity to showcase his abilities to Erik ten Hag once again and try to get back in the first-choice XI. He has less than three months to do so.
England, who are in Group B, could meet the Netherlands (Group A) in the last 16, where something ironic could occur if Malacia starts and Shaw doesn't. More motivation for the latter to kick on, then.
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