Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has revealed that a personal request from Luke Shaw led to the defender being stationed at centre-back against Nottingham Forest.
The Englishman was named in the starting line-up for the Red Devils’ showdown with the Premier League strugglers as they got back to action following the enforced break for the World Cup. Whilst that has not been an unusual occurrence since the arrival of Ten Hag, Shaw’s position did have some scratching their heads.
He was selected to partner the returning Raphael Varane at the heart of the United defence with Tyrell Malacia stationed on the left-flank in Shaw’s absence. Despite his role against Forest being a somewhat unconventional one, Ten Hag revealed that Shaw expressed his willingness to play there with the Red Devils’ facing a centre-back shortage after the World Cup.
Speaking ahead of the showdown at Old Trafford, the Dutch schemer said: "He [Shaw] offered himself [to play centre-back] last week. We have to find solutions at this time of the season in this position, and that's what we are doing.
“The players are experienced, and they know what to do. I'm convinced it's a good team."
It remains to be seen how long Shaw will be required to deputise at centre-back for. Lisandro Martinez was granted extra time off having lifted the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar, whilst England star Harry Maguire missed last week’s Carabao Cup victory over Burnley due to illness.
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The United captain was included on the bench against Forest on Tuesday evening with Ten Hag having previously confirmed he had returned to training. He said: 'We had some problems with illness like Harry Maguire, but he was back on the training pitch today so I’m happy with that.”
Elsewhere, Victor Lindelof was unavailable having also been struck down with illness prior to the game with Forest. Varane was not expected to play but Ten Hag revealed that talks between himself and the Frenchman allowed him the confidence to restore the defender to the starting line-up.
"I had a talk with him [Varane] yesterday, Raphael takes responsibility and that is why he is so successful, winning so many trophies and he is so important to the squad,” the former Ajax man told. “He said 'I am ready, play me'.
"Varane has been training, but of course, you have to take some conditions with his [injury] history. The World Cup was quite intense for him and played a lot of minutes with France. We have to take care of him."
Following their showdown with Steve Cooper’s struggling side, United are very quickly back in action on Saturday with a trip to Molineux to take on Wolverhampton Wanderers. They then kick off 2023 with a home game with Bournemouth - by which time the absent Martinez should have returned.
