Lethargic Luke Shaw’s display vs AC Milan shows Michael Carrick can’t afford to gamble with Man Utd’s left-back crisis

LUKE SHAW’S shaky display against AC Milan showed that Michael Carrick cannot afford to gamble with Manchester United’s left-back crisis. The Red Devils’ grim performance in the friendly against the Italians was a brutal reminder of the glaring issues that need fixing over the next fortnight. Michael Carrick needs to address Man United’s left-back problem Credit: Alamy Luke Shaw’s lacklustre display against AC Milan reinforced the need for United to dip into the market Credit: Getty Especially if United are serious about turning boss Carrick’s big talk of doing “something special” into reality. Former gaffer Ruben Amorim famously spoke about the club needing to “suffer” before the glory days returned. Sign up for the Man United newsletter Thank you! And his Milan side certainly made United suffer in Wroclaw. Despite going in front twice — through Harry Maguire after just two minutes and Patrick Dorgu — they were well beaten 4-2. That pain is spilling into the transfer market, where the Red Devils are miles off their rivals in summer spending. It will inevitably have consequences this season. United are the only so-called traditional Premier League ‘Big Six’ club never to have spent £100million on a single player. This summer Chelsea have splashed £117m on Morgan Rogers, City handed £116m over for Elliot Anderson and Tottenham spent a combined £185m on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes. Much was made of United bolstering their midfield this summer but now it is apparent how desperate they are for a new left-back. Amorim’s Milan, using the 3-4-2-1 system that proved a woeful fit at Old Trafford, blew United away in the second half. Samuel Chukwueze — who spent last term on loan at Fulham — found joy at right wing-back, scoring one and then setting up goals for Alphadjo Cisse and Goncalo Ramos with two identical crosses from Shaw’s side. Most read in Sport Ruben Amorim got sweet revenge against his old team as AC Milan came out 4-2 winners Credit: Reuters BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS On each occasion, Shaw shuffled across too slowly. While Amorim’s formation naturally leaves defenders vulnerable on the flanks, the lapse highlights why United are actively considering fresh investment in that position. Ruben Loftus-Cheek nabbed Milan’s fourth in Poland. Carrick (left) revealed he “needs” more players before the September 1 deadline when speaking to journalists in Dublin. At 31 and entering his final year at Old Trafford, 2014 signing Shaw cannot carry the load alone given his injury history. He was excellent last season, starting all 38 Prem matches, but that was a one-game-per-week schedule and United are back in the Champions League this term. That is why United have looked at Newcastle’s Lewis Hall, Myles Lewis-Skelly, 19, at Arsenal and others. Hall is the ultimate target, but United had two initial enquiries rejected by Toon bosses. Unless the 21-year-old forces an exit and the Old Trafford hierarchy slap down a mega-money offer, any deal is highly unlikely. With left-back Harry Amass, 19, set to leave this summer, United lack strength in depth. Shaw played the entire 90 minutes against Milan, his first full game of pre-season, and the heat played a part in a low-energy second half from United. Relying exclusively on Shaw — solid but not as pacy as he used to be — presents a massive risk. Ticket + hotel room for Man Utd games GET tickets to see Man Utd at Old Trafford with our hand-picked deals. The packages include an official match ticket and an overnight stay in a nearby hotel. Man United Home Games⚽ 30 Aug v Ipswich — BOOK HERE⚽ 13 Sep v Manchester City — BOOK HERE⚽ 10 Oct v Tottenham Hotspur — BOOK HERE⚽ 24 Oct v Bournemouth — BOOK HERE⚽ 7 Nov v Aston Villa — BOOK HERE More games available here. *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. United tried to solve their full-back issue when Dorgu joined as Amorim’s first signing — the former Lecce star was designed to fit the Portuguese’s system as a wing-back. Dorgu has been used as a left-winger by Carrick, with Marcus Rashford also back in the team for now. As the club’s highest earner, Rashford is a factor in why United’s transfer business has stalled since Youri Tielemans’ £35m arrival from Aston Villa. Ironically, finishing 15th afforded Amorim greater spending power than Carrick enjoys for guiding United to third. Amorim was backed last summer to try to get United into the Champions League through the signings of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for £207.5m. So far, under Carrick, United have committed £85m — Tielemans and the £50m addition from Chelsea, Andrey Santos — even though they are back in Europe’s elite competition. United’s engine room lacks an engine. Kobbie Mainoo’s return is a relief but they still need a runner to cover ground and mask Tielemans’ lack of athleticism. Noticing familiar United reporters, Amorim could not resist a nod to his volatile media moments. He grinned: “Did you miss me?” We miss your press conferences,” came the reply. “More boring now,” Amorim laughed. A punchline that applies just as neatly to United’s subdued transfer window. Comment now