Man Utd news: Opinion – Luke Shaw fitness and importance to team at left-back

Of all the match-ups that would have been most instructive for Erik ten Hag in Manchester United’s loss to Liverpool was teenager Harry Amass’ performance at left-back when facing Mohamed Salah.

The Dutchman’s admission to newspaper colleagues on Thursday that Tyrell Malacia, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, was another two months away from full fitness brings focus to the left-back situation.

Over the next week or so, we will discover the extent to which Gareth Southgate pushed Luke Shaw to be involved in the latter stages of the Euros.

England’s struggles without an orthodox left-back in Germany were a microcosm of the problem Ten Hag spent virtually all of last season wrestling with.

Seventeen-year-old Amass may be the answer for United, especially if Shaw needs to ease himself back into the rigours of a packed club calendar.

Amass did well against Salah. You would not expect the former Watford youngster to win every battle against such a seasoned and world-class star but he did enough to show he can step in on occasion and not look out of place.

Really, though, United – and Ten Hag – need Shaw fit, and to stay fit.