Luke Shaw behind Brandon Williams in United pecking order

According to ESPNFC sources, Luke Shaw has fallen behind Brandon Williams as Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s first-choice left-back. Shaw is expected to make his first-team return in Thursday’s Europa League clash with Astana, having been sidelined since August’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace with a thigh injury. However, he’s apparently got work to do if he’s to reclaim the position full-time.

The 19-year-old Williams, who scored his first Premier League goal in the 3-3 draw with Sheffield United on the weekend, has impressed while deputising for the England international. Williams has not made the trip to Kazakhstan, in a clear indication that he will feature from the off in the weekend’s league encounter with Aston Villa.

Since joining the club from Southampton five years ago, Shaw has never really delivered on his promise. Having been plagued by injuries and fitness doubts, there are serious questions over whether he’ll ever be a good long-term option. We doubt this really will be the wake-up call he seems to have needed for so long, but let’s hope he proves us wrong and fights to reclaim his spot.