5 things Manchester United must do to win the title next season

#5 Sign a new left-back or give Luke Shaw a chance

Can Shaw put his injuries behind him and find the form he showed for Southampton?

One of United’s biggest concerns as a unit has been establishing a regular back-four, the earmark of true champions. At left-back especially, former-Saint, Luke Shaw’s frequent injury worries have left United struggling and there’s been no one player who has successfully nailed down the position, with Mourinho alternating between Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian and Marcos Rojo.

None of the aforementioned trio is capable of contributing to the United attack in the same way the side’s first-choice right-back, Antonio Valencia has this season. The 31-year-old Ecuadorian has shown excellent attacking prowess, bombing forwards in matches this season, having recorded the fourth highest performance score of any other player in the team, according to Squawka.

There’s a definite imbalance there and a need for United to find a first choice left-back who’s able to anchor down that side of defence but also add numbers when the side pushes forward, especially if they’re looking to play less conservatively.

Shaw undoubtedly has the potential to do exactly that but is incredibly injury prone and therefore a risk for Mourinho. Ahead of next season, the club must make a decision whether to place faith in Shaw and give him all the game time they can, or sign a new left-back with speed and an attacking mindset; Monaco’s Benjamin Mendy has been tipped as a suitable replacement.