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Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has been urged to make an immediate change and replace Luke Shaw after the defender’s disastrous showing in Sunday’s 5-2 Premier League win over Ipswich Town. Although the team responded with an emphatic victory, the left-back’s worrying defensive weaknesses have drawn heavy criticism, with Shaw being described as a central part of the side’s continuing problems.

Defensive struggles against Ipswich

Man Utd recorded an impressive 5-2 win over Ipswich Town on Sunday, but talkSPORT pundits again highlighted the team’s defensive fragility in brutal fashion. Carrick saw his side go behind early after Leif Davis opened the scoring.

Abdul Fatawu got past Luke Shaw too easily on the right before finding Davis at the back post. While Bruno Fernandes led the comeback in style with a hat-trick, added to by a Jacob Greaves own goal and a finish from Bryan Mbeumo, with Chuba Akpom scoring a consolation for Ipswich, that first goal sparked widespread anger over Shaw’s worrying defensive drop-off.

Crook’s scathing assessment

That defensive performance led to a savage verdict on the left-back from talkSPORT’s Alex Crook. Speaking about the match on GameDay Live alongside Micky Gray, Crook launched a fierce criticism of Shaw.

Crook said: "I've got no words. I've got no words. Luke Shaw was awful at Hull last week. He was awful again there. He has been awful for how many years? He is part of the problem. He is part of the reason that Man United don't keep clean sheets. He is part of the reason they keep losing football matches and yet, there is no sign of anyone coming in to replace him."

Pre-season questions raised

Gray also questioned Manchester United’s defensive preparation and commitment during the summer break. The former player pointed out how easily the opposition wingers were able to get beyond the backline in the opening stages.

Gray said: "What have Manchester United's full-backs been doing in pre-season because they look like they've had it off? Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw, I mean, how easy is it for Fatawu to get past Luke Shaw and pick out his man inside the 18-yard box? Leif Davis has got himself into an area, where he just has to place that ball first time."

Those obvious weaknesses have left supporters calling for immediate reinforcements.

Transfer window solutions

Manchester United must now consider their options in the closing days of the transfer window to solve this clear issue. With Newcastle United ending any talk of Lewis Hall leaving, Carrick is facing a tense finish to the summer market. If the club do not bring in a dependable left-back, their defensive frailties could seriously damage their ambitions for the rest of the campaign.