Paul Parker Warns Carrick: Replace Shaw or Trust Amass

Paul Parker has fired a blunt warning at Michael Carrick ahead of his first full season in charge at Manchester United: upgrade Luke Shaw at left-back or get bold and back a teenager.

United’s summer rebuild has largely focused on midfield after Casemiro’s departure, with Andrey Santos arriving from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. Karl Darlow has also joined from Leeds United to provide cover for Senne Lammens after the Belgian’s impressive debut campaign at Old Trafford.

But for Parker, the real fault line in this squad runs down the left side of defence.

‘Luke Shaw isn’t good enough’

Shaw started all 38 Premier League games last season for the first time since his £30m move in 2014. That durability has not convinced Parker.

Speaking to Betarades.gr, the former United defender was clear that Carrick cannot go into the new campaign with Shaw as his undisputed first choice.

“If the plan is to play him as a winger, then the club seriously needs a new left back because Luke Shaw isn’t good enough,” Parker said, referring to Patrick Dorgu’s role.

“They really need a mobile fullback with agility who can defend properly as well and a player who can do a job up and down the pitch.

“Luke Shaw can’t run and he can’t defend or attack, so what do you need him for? Dalot is always going to be an issue when he plays as well, especially if they play him on the left back.”

United have already identified left-back as a position to strengthen. Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, while Myles Lewis-Skelly has also been offered to the club in recent days.

Parker, though, is not just calling for a signing. He is challenging the entire pecking order.

Dorgu question sparks left-back debate

Parker’s criticism of Shaw came as he discussed Patrick Dorgu and where the youngster fits into Carrick’s plans.

“I expect from Patrick Dorgu what I saw from him before he got injured, but I need to see it on a regular basis,” he said. “I don’t know where he is going to play. Will he play at left back or as a winger? I think it will be as a winger.”

That single tactical decision, in Parker’s eyes, forces United’s hand. If Dorgu is pushed higher up the pitch, the club must act decisively behind him.

Something has to give. Either Carrick signs a new left-back or he rips up convention and turns to a teenager.

‘Maybe it is time’ for Harry Amass

If United decide against dipping into the market, Parker wants to see 18-year-old Harry Amass thrown into the fight rather than defaulting to Shaw.

“I saw Harry Amass play a couple of games for Sheffield Wednesday and up until the injury all the Wednesday fans were completely raving about him,” Parker said.

“Absolutely raving about him, so maybe it is time to give him the opportunity? The club should be better at introducing young players like him and give them a run. In my opinion, he needs a run, not just a couple of games.

“Something needs to happen and in my opinion they have to bring in a left back or decide to play Amass there, but I just doubt they will do it which is the reason I said they have to bring in a left back.”

For Parker, the choice is stark. Either United pay for a proven upgrade, or they live their own academy rhetoric and back Amass properly.

Half-measures, he suggests, will only leave Carrick exposed.

Doubts over Andrey Santos signing

Parker also raised an eyebrow at United’s move for Andrey Santos, who struggled for minutes at Chelsea.

“The Andrey Santos signing did catch me by surprise,” he admitted. “I was with a friend the other day who is a big Chelsea fan and goes to all the games, so I asked him about Andrey Santos. I just said that he should tell me about Andrey Santos but he couldn’t tell me much because he said Santos didn’t start many games, which I can obviously see myself as well.”

The hope, Parker says, is that this is a Carrick-driven signing, not a committee gamble.

“So, I am hoping it is a Michael Carrick signing rather than other people in the club just wanting him, but I still need to see more from Andrey Santos before I can give a proper verdict.

“I can’t really remember him that much to be honest and I think a lot of people are feeling the same. Is he going to be one of the starting eleven? I actually hope so, because it is not good enough if he was just brought in to be a squad player. We don’t need that kind of player coming in.”

Carrick’s first full season is already being framed by big decisions in midfield. Parker’s words sharpen the focus on another one: who starts at left-back when the real games begin?