Paul Parker's Bold Call for Manchester United's Left Flank

Paul Parker has delivered a blunt message to Michael Carrick: if Manchester United are serious about moving forward, Luke Shaw cannot remain first-choice left-back.

Carrick is preparing for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford and the rebuild is already under way. The midfield has been the first area addressed after Casemiro’s departure, with Andrey Santos arriving from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa to reshape the core of the side. Behind them, Karl Darlow has joined from Leeds United to back up Senne Lammens after the Belgian’s impressive debut campaign in goal.

But Parker believes the real fault line sits on the left side of defence.

“Luke Shaw isn’t good enough”

Shaw, signed for £30 million in 2014, started all 38 league games last season for the first time in his United career. For Parker, that stat masks a bigger problem.

Speaking to Betarades.gr, the former United defender did not 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 as he discussed Patrick Dorgu’s role and where the youngster might fit in.

Parker wants a very different profile in that position.

“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,” he insisted. Then came the harshest line of all: “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.”

United have already been linked with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall, while Myles Lewis-Skelly has also been offered to the club in recent days. The left-back position is firmly on the agenda.

A call for youth: Harry Amass

If United do not land a new left-back in the transfer window, Parker does not want to see Shaw simply keep his place by default. He wants a bold decision.

He namechecked teenager Harry Amass as an option who deserves a real 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?”

For Parker, this is about more than one player. It is about a club rediscovering its belief in youth.

“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,” he argued. “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.”

The message is clear: either invest decisively or trust the academy. Drifting with the current options is not, in Parker’s eyes, an acceptable path.

Doubts over Andrey Santos signing

Parker also questioned one of the headline arrivals in midfield. While United have moved quickly to restock after Casemiro, he remains unconvinced about Andrey Santos.

“The Andrey Santos signing did catch me by surprise,” he admitted. To test his instincts, Parker turned to someone who had watched the Brazilian more closely.

“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.”

That lack of a body of work at the top level leaves Parker wary.

“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.”

What Parker does not want is another depth piece who never truly shifts the level of the side.

“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.”

Carrick’s first full season is already framed by big decisions in key areas. The midfield has been refreshed, the goalkeeping department reinforced. The next call is starker: does he rip up the hierarchy at left-back and trust a new signing or a teenager, or keep faith with a senior player Parker insists is holding United back?