Luke Shaw on trial at Manchester United as club weighs contract renewal decision

Luke Shaw is effectively fighting for his Manchester United future this season, with the club set to delay any contract decision until the second half of the campaign before determining whether to offer the left-back a new deal.

Shaw, whose current contract contains no option clause, is in a more precarious position than other United defenders in the final year of their deals. Manchester Evening News chief United writer Tyrone Marshall outlined the stakes on the Manchester is Red podcast, noting that while teammates in similar situations have extension options built in, Shaw requires an entirely new agreement.

“Almost all of the defenders are kind of on trial, to be honest, this season,” Marshall said. “His contract is up. Everyone else whose contract is up this year, especially in defence, has an option. Shaw does not. So there’s no case of taking the option. It is a case of there needs to be a new deal.”

Marshall drew a comparison with how United handled Harry Maguire’s situation, suggesting the club will wait until the new year before committing. He also raised the possibility of United signing a left-back — citing Lewis Hall as a potential target — which could reshape Shaw’s role at the club rather than end it entirely.

“It could be that they sign Lewis Hall and Shaw stays as a high-quality back-up,” Marshall said. “For that to happen, he’d probably have to take a pay cut. Maybe he’d be willing to do that for a two- or three-year deal.”

Shaw was one of United’s standout performers last season, featuring in every Premier League match — a notable achievement given his lengthy injury history in previous campaigns. United did make a late enquiry for Rayan Ait-Nouri of Manchester City before the summer transfer window closed, but no deal was completed, leaving Shaw as the first-choice option at left-back.

Should Shaw be unavailable, United’s alternatives are limited. Noussair Mazraoui can cover on the left but is more comfortable on the right, while Patrick Dorgu and youngster Harry Amass have also been mentioned as options by manager Michael Carrick.

Shaw’s immediate opportunity to stake his claim comes in the Champions League at home to Sabah, followed by the Manchester derby against City at Old Trafford.