Paul Parker Calls for New Left-Back at Manchester United

Paul Parker has called on Michael Carrick to be ruthless this summer and replace Luke Shaw, insisting the Manchester United left-back “isn’t good enough” to lead the club into the new season.

Carrick is preparing for his first full campaign in charge at Old Trafford and has already overseen a significant reshaping of the squad. The midfield has been the main focus after Casemiro’s departure, with Andrey Santos arriving from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. In goal, Karl Darlow has joined from Leeds United to provide cover for Senne Lammens following the Belgian’s impressive debut season.

The rebuild, though, is far from complete. One position has Parker particularly concerned.

“Luke Shaw isn’t good enough”

United have identified left-back as an area they may yet strengthen, with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall linked and Myles Lewis-Skelly offered to the club in recent days. Shaw, signed for £30 million in 2014, started all 38 Premier League matches last season for the first time in his United career. For Parker, that doesn’t change the equation.

Speaking to Betarades.gr, the former United defender didn’t hold back.

“If the plan is to play him as a winger, then the club seriously needs a new left back because Luke Shaw isn’t good enough,” Parker said, referring to Patrick Dorgu and where he might be used. “They really need a mobile fullback with agility who can defend properly as well and a player who can do a job up and down the pitch.

“Luke Shaw can’t run and he can’t defend or attack, so what do you need him for? Dalot is always going to be an issue when he plays as well, especially if they play him on the left back.”

Parker had earlier stressed his expectations for Dorgu: “I expect from Patrick Dorgu what I saw from him before he got injured, but I need to see it on a regular basis. I don’t know where he is going to play. Will he play at left back or as a winger? I think it will be as a winger.”

The message was clear: if Dorgu is pushed further forward, Carrick must act in the market.

A call for Harry Amass

If United choose not to sign a new left-back, Parker does not want to see Shaw simply keep his place by default. He believes teenager Harry Amass deserves a serious look.

“I saw Harry Amass play a couple of games for Sheffield Wednesday and up until the injury all the Wednesday fans were completely raving about him,” Parker said. “Absolutely raving about him, so maybe it is time to give him the opportunity?

“The club should be better at introducing young players like him and give them a run. In my opinion, he needs a run, not just a couple of games.

“Something needs to happen and in my opinion they have to bring in a left back or decide to play Amass there, but I just doubt they will do it which is the reason I said they have to bring in a left back.”

For Parker, United’s tradition of trusting youth has to mean more than cameos. Either the club spends, or it backs Amass properly.

Doubts over Andrey Santos signing

Parker also questioned the logic behind the signing of Andrey Santos, admitting he was taken aback when United moved for the Brazilian midfielder.

“The Andrey Santos signing did catch me by surprise,” he admitted. “I was with a friend the other day who is a big Chelsea fan and goes to all the games, so I asked him about Andrey Santos. I just said that he should tell me about Andrey Santos but he couldn’t tell me much because he said Santos didn’t start many games, which I can obviously see myself as well.

“So, I am hoping it is a Michael Carrick signing rather than other people in the club just wanting him, but I still need to see more from Andrey Santos before I can give a proper verdict.

“I can’t really remember him that much to be honest and I think a lot of people are feeling the same. Is he going to be one of the starting eleven? I actually hope so, because it is not good enough if he was just brought in to be a squad player. We don’t need that kind of player coming in.”

Parker’s stance is uncompromising. Carrick, in his view, must build a side of starters, not passengers, and that begins on the left flank. The question now is whether United’s manager is ready to push out an established England international to prove it.