Erik ten Hag could be set to hand Luke Shaw his first Premier League start for Manchester United since the 4-0 defeat to Brentford when they take on Everton on Sunday evening.
Tyrell Malacia has had a fine start to life at United since his arrival from Feyenoord this summer. Ten Hag has turned to the 23-year-old in every single league game so far this season, with the Dutch defender starting the last five domestic outings.
However, Malacia has had the unfortunate experience of being substituted at half-time in United's last two matches. The bruising 6-3 defeat to rivals Manchester City saw Ten Hag turn to Shaw at half-time as the Reds found themselves 4-0 down at the break.
United then travelled to Cyprus, where they ran out 3-2 winners against Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League. However, Ten Hag opted to make the same substitution at half-time. Shaw performed admirably in both second-half cameos, and although he failed to set the world alight, he by and large did what was asked of him.
It would be naive not to expect Malacia to have the odd poor game for United, especially as he gets used to the tactical demands being asked of him and settles into life in a foreign country. This is why clubs invest so heavily to ensure they have good squad depth.
The potential time for Malacia to be rested will allow him to refocus and refresh, should Ten Hag opt to start Shaw on Sunday evening. However, there is another very good reason why the United manager should start Shaw at Goodison Park.
Shaw has not lost to Everton in the last seven years, a run that stretches back eight matches. The left-back has even provided two assists during that time, and in the 14 appearances he has made against the Toffees, he has only lost on two occasions.
Malacia may well be Ten Hag's starting left-back, but Shaw will be ready to step into United's starting line-up should he be called upon by the Dutchman on Sunday evening.
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