With the way things have been going this season for Manchester United, it's hard to imagine the squad not looking a little bit different come next summer, or perhaps even as early as this January. Michael Carrick's future at the club also remains in question despite United's board having backed him in the midst of their run of poor results across all competitions.
The Champions League win over AS Roma at Old Trafford midweek was a mere glimmer of fleeting jubilation for the Red Devils, who have taken multiple steps backward after their other wins earlier this season. After they defeated Ipswich Town 5-2 in the Premier League, they only went on to win one of their next eleven matches across all competitions, which was the 4-0 win over Champions League debutants Sabah.
There could very well be a squad overhaul in the very near future at United with the level of disarray the club currently finds itself in and Luke Shaw could be one of the key figures on the chopping block. The former England international has been with the club since the summer of 2014, but it might very well be approaching the time for him to move on.
One Last...Dance?
Per information from football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano (as per @mufcMPB), Shaw is expected to leave Manchester United this summer as the club have already actively been thinking about potential replacements.
His current contract with United runs through June 2027 and there's been no recent indications from within the club that an extension is on the cards, so the defender could ultimately wind up leaving as a free agent after thirteen seasons. It's far from the ending of his chapter at the club that he would've dreamt of, but he's hardly to blame for the steady downfall at Old Trafford that's taken its toll on a bevy of top players. The writing's been on the wall and Shaw's troubles with injuries over the years haven't made things any easier for him.
United Have Already Been Looking For a Left Back
Going into this season, Shaw might've very well known it would be his last playing for United as he approaches the last year on his contract.
However, United's pursuit of a left back in the summer transfer window probably made things a bit more clear for Shaw, too. His replacement was already being searched for, though the club did not wind up signing any defenders during the summer window - but they certainly tried. During the summer window, United showed interest in the likes of Lewis Hall, Alejandro Balde, Ian Maatsen, and even David Raum, but their three big signings of the summer were Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos, and Carlos Baleba.
Whatever winds up happening with United's squad in the coming months and next summer, something needs to change to get the club back on the right track, but Shaw likely won't be around to see the potential improvements that might come next season onward. Before the end of the season comes, Shaw will be hoping to get as many minutes as possible after he recovers from the injury he sustained in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham last month.
