Manchester United failed to sign a left-back during the summer transfer window despite exploring several options.
That decision has left Luke Shaw as the only senior specialist left-back available to head coach Michael Carrick.
With United back in the UEFA Champions League, the Red Devils could face a gruelling schedule of around 60 games this season.
Given Shaw’s troubling injury record, it would be a huge gamble for Carrick to expect him to play twice a week throughout the campaign.
Here are four potential left-back alternatives the United head coach could consider.
Natural Successor – Harry Amass
Harry Amass was allowed to leave permanently for only £6 million at the start of the summer.
His impressive cameos in pre-season and the delay in recruiting a left-back raised the possibility of sending him on loan.
United eventually realised they had run out of time to bring in another full-back and opted to keep the teenager at Old Trafford.
The 19-year-old has already made seven senior appearances for the club and could now find himself with a golden opportunity to earn regular minutes
Desperate experiment – Patrick Dorgu
Patrick Dorgu arrived from Lecce as a left wing-back in February 2025, but his early months exposed clear weaknesses when he was asked to defend.
Carrick has since transformed his role, pushing Dorgu further forward and unlocking a completely different side of his game.
His goals against Arsenal and Manchester City last campaign set the tone, with the head coach using him in an advanced role in pre-season and in the first two games of this campaign.
Dorgu can operate at left-back, but dragging him back into that position now would feel more like an act of desperation than a carefully planned solution.
Defensive choice – Noussair Mazraoui
Noussair Mazraoui showed he can handle the left-back position during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but reproducing that level of performance in the relentless Premier League is an entirely different challenge.
The 28-year-old would bring experience and defensive stability to the position, but his impact in the final third would likely be limited.
Mazraoui could be a useful option when United need to protect a lead, sit deeper or defend a narrow shape.
Academy Wildcard – Godwill Kukonki
Godwill Kukonki could represent the boldest option of them all.
The 18-year-old spent much of last season operating at left-back and steadily built a reputation for his defensive intelligence.
His physicality and tenacity also allow him to make a meaningful contribution when United push forward.
His goal in the FA Youth Cup final against Manchester City was another strong indication of his progress as a left-back.
Kukonki still has plenty to learn, but handing him opportunities in the cup competitions could prove to be a rewarding gamble for Carrick.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
