Erik ten Hag makes his feelings clear after finding perfect Luke Shaw alternative at Manchester United

Luke Shaw is arguably Manchester United's first choice left-back when fully fit, but Erik ten Hag has discussed a potential long-term replacement after his recent audition in the position.

Shaw arrived at United in 2014 as one of the brighest prospects in world football.

During his time at Old Trafford, the 29-year-old has won the FA Cup and League Cup, and has four goals to his name in 275 appearances.

However, Shaw's struggled with injury issues over the years.

One of the worst of came in 2015, when Shaw suffered a double leg fracture during a Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven.

Shaw is yet to feature this season due to injury, having not played for United since February in an away victory over Luton Town, although he was part of Gareth Southgate's England squad at Euro 2024 over the summer and featured at the tournament.

Shaw is contracted to United until the summer of 2027, while other left-backs at the club include Tyrell Malacia and Noussair Mazraoui.

The latter moved to United this summer from Bayern Munich and while he is primarily a right-back, he has the ability to operate on both flanks.

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But one player who might be another alternative to Shaw in the left-back role is youngster Toby Collyer.

The 20-year-old is usually a holding midfielder and has made three appearances this campaign so far, having being handed his first team debut by Ten Hag in the Community Shield defeat off the bench against Manchester City.

He followed this up with his Premier League bow as he came off the bench again in the 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Old Trafford.

And Collyer made his first start for United in midweek as the Reds swept aside League One Barnsley 7-0 at Old Trafford in what is the biggest win so far of Ten Hag's tenure at the Premier League club.

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He featured at left-back in the Carabao Cup third round victory and Ten Hag has had his say on the youngster's performance in the position, which could give the United boss food for thought moving forwards.

The Dutchman said: "It was his first time playing as a left-back, sometimes in training but this was the first time [in a game].

"The start was difficult for him but then after a while he found his position and as a team we found our shape."