Manchester United’s Full-Back Crisis Exposed as Decision Not to Strengthen in January Raises Questions

Manchester United’s awkward situation at left-back has not developed overnight. The club’s management did want to strengthen during the summer and made a late attempt to sign Ait-Nouri from Manchester City, but the deal collapsed after the two sides failed to agree on a price. Now reports suggest the recruitment plan has been delayed until next summer, with no signings expected this winter. The reason? The management believes Luke Shaw played all 38 Premier League matches last season and was in good form, so he should be enough.

Luke Shaw did provide an assist against Everton, but saying that means the problem has been solved would be too simplistic. Looking at the first three Premier League rounds, where the team conceded two goals in each match, it would be unfair to blame everything on opponents scoring spectacular goals. Problems in the defensive system still need to be addressed, especially at full-back, where weaknesses have been obvious.

The first goal conceded against Everton shows the issue. Manchester United dropped deep into their own defensive third and appeared to have a stable shape, but Luke Shaw’s positioning was too narrow, leaving the left-side channel open for Tyrique George to attack alone. Against some other teams, that space could have been heavily punished. Can this really not be considered a problem?

To be fair, Luke Shaw has also been a positive influence in attack. He has frequently pushed forward and his understanding with Rashford has continued to improve. His cross directly found Sesko for a headed goal, which was an excellent move. Rooney praised the performance after the match, saying the combination between him and Marcus on the left was very dangerous. That assessment carries significant weight.

Ashley Young also said that watching the chemistry built through years of partnership with Luke was enjoyable. He said Luke showed incredible speed when he first joined Manchester United, had a strong attacking presence, and created major pressure for opposing defenses. The comments sounded like a genuine football assessment rather than empty praise.

Carrick also spoke openly, saying that the partnership between Marcus and Luke on the left is very sharp, with their long time together naturally creating understanding. He said the team is working hard and hopes the overall coordination can reach a higher level. But the question remains: can a spark in attack cover up serious problems in defense?

Manchester United’s defensive weaknesses are currently very clear. After Luke Shaw pushes forward, his recovery speed and decision-making become issues. Mazraoui can fill in at left-back, but he is not a specialist in that position, and his defensive coverage and one-on-one ability have limitations. Dalot and Dorgu are also emergency options. The team cannot continue patching things together forever.

The only player Carrick can currently hope for is Carlos Baleba, who has been injured for more than half a year. The £70 million defensive midfielder is considered a key figure in improving the defensive structure. However, according to the current recovery schedule, he may not return until after the October international break at the earliest, while the next match is against Tottenham. Is that timing suitable?

Fortunately, there has been some positive news recently: captain Bruno Fernandes was selected among the 30 nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Although many understand that winning the award is highly unlikely based only on his individual achievements, the nomination itself shows the recognition he has received in world football.

Last season, B. Fernandes provided 21 assists in the Premier League, setting a historical record. Those numbers make it impossible to deny that he is a top-level midfielder. However, the Ballon d’Or requires more than statistics; team achievements are also important. He did not help the club win any trophies, which naturally weakens his chances.

That said, this nomination is certainly a positive factor in his contract negotiations. Football Insider reported that Manchester United plan to begin renewal talks with his agent Miguel Pinho, with the goal of extending the contract until 2029 and raising his weekly wage to £350,000. Considering his current performances and influence, the figure is not considered excessive.

Manchester United currently lack more players like B. Fernandes who can take responsibility as leaders. The full-back issue has dragged on for a long time, and the club’s decision not to act in the winter window means all the pressure will remain on the current squad. Fans understand how heavy Carrick’s burden is.

The hope is that Luke Shaw can maintain his attacking energy and that Baleba can return soon to strengthen the midfield. But one thing remains unchanged: Manchester United’s left-back position will eventually need to be solved. If they do not reinforce in winter, next summer could become even more difficult.