Manchester United icon Patrice Evra has said Luke Shaw's "time has gone" and that his old club need a new left-back. Shaw, 30, was part of the team that lost 2-0 against promoted Hull City and copped criticism for his performance.
Evra's verdict on Shaw
Michael Carrick has recruited heavily in midfield this summer but is yet to make many (or any) upgrades elsewhere. This is despite the fact left-back sticks out as an area of the squad in particular that's lacking in depth.
And Evra, 45, has advised his old club to invest in the position between now and the transfer deadline on September 1. United have been consistently linked with Newcastle's £60million-rated Lewis Hall as a potential recruit this summer, though there's yet to be any formal interest with only a few days of the transfer window remaining.
"What I'm really disappointed about is all the back passes in that game. Luke Shaw, I love you, but it's going to be a tough season for him," said the Old Trafford icon on his Kick Stream, brought to you by Stake. "Why? He's been at the club for years, he's had a lot of injuries that killed his football career. When I talk with him, he's still traumatised by [the injuries], he wouldn't go 100 per cent into every challenge.
"I have to tell the truth. Man United fans want to hear my opinion, and I think [Luke Shaw's] time has gone. Don't get me wrong, he might have a great game next game, but I don't care. If Luke Shaw can give me a 35-game season, then that's a good season.
"I don't care if he has 10 good games and three bad ones, if he doesn't play at least 35 games in a row, Man United fans will go crazy. He's lucky because he's English. I love Luke Shaw, but I love Man United even more, that's why I'm saying they need another left-back."
Hall backed as the answer
Asked whether United should be looking into a move for Newcastle and England defender Hall, Evra approved. Even if Hall was responsible for giving Liverpool a penalty to snatch a point from St James' Park in dramatic circumstances last Sunday.
"That's what I wanted. [Lewis Hall] is a great player, we're talking about consistency," added Evra. "In the game against Liverpool, he gave away a penalty, but I don't care. He gives you 90 minutes, guaranteed, that's the kind of left-back Man United need."
The Champions League-winner went on to say "no-one has replaced him" at United despite him leaving the club in 2014. In Evra's opinion, the player who has brought most solidity to the role since then is Ashley Young.
Other options and time running out
Carrick does have other irons in the fire regarding the left-back spot, with Barcelona's Alejandro Balde, Club Brugge's Joaquin Seys and Jorge Salinas of Racing Santander among them. However, time is fast running out for United to get another name through the door.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are each capable of bringing cover to the left-back role but aren't natural choices for the position. Hall remains the dream target but Newcastle no longer need to sell after some big departures this summer and are seemingly desperate to keep hold of the 21-year-old.
