LvG shortlists three players to replace Shaw

Louis van Gaal has claimed it’s a huge blow to be without Luke Shaw for the next few months, following his leg break against PSV, but has suggested there are three players who can replace him.

That is not any problem I think, but Shaw is the line-up player. I have already said that it is very difficult to replace him, certainly when he is in such good shape. But we have good replacements in Blind, Rojo and in Ashley Young.

Daley Blind played very well in the closing months of last season at left-back, keeping Shaw out of the team, but has been used in the centre of defence so far this season. The Dutchman has done surprisingly well and with Phil Jones still injured, we might be better off playing him centrally.

Ashley Young played at wing-back during the 5-3-2 period and did well there. He has recently lost his starting place out wide to Memphis Depay, so Van Gaal might be tempted to include him.

Rojo fell out of favour with the manager after failing to renew his passport and therefore missed out on the pre-season tour. He made his first appearance of the season when replacing Shaw against PSV and played in the centre. This had a negative impact on the defence, with Blind moving out wide, so Van Gaal may want to put Rojo at left-back and keep Blind in the centre.