There is no doubt that there will be mass changes at Manchester United this summer, stemming from the top level organisation down to the playing squad.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is looking to cut costs but increase output and squeeze the very best out of this Manchester United team as he begins the overhaul process.

Some pieces of the jigsaw from a management perspective have not yet fallen into place – such as Omar Berrada, the incoming Chief Executive, remaining on gardening leave until July, as well as ongoing negotiation troubles with Newcastle United for Sporting Director Dan Ashworth.

But they have managed to bring Jason Wilcox in as Technical Director, a job role that will sit in between the academy and first team, as well as managing the levels of performance around the club.

There are many areas in which Manchester United need changes and reinforcements, especially with players leaving. But one area that continues to be monitored and considered a priority is that of left back.

Luke Shaw, England international, is the number one in this position, but his physical fragility continues to burden him and the team, missing a large proportion of the season.

The former Southampton academy graduate has only turned out in 12 Premier Premier League games this season, two Champions League matches and one in the FA Cup.

Shaw’s contract runs until 2027 and, at 28, Manchester United will be hoping for more consistency in his availability moving forward. It has been a regular occurrence for Shaw to miss out on crucial parts of the season, especially after his double leg break in 2015.

With that being said, Shaw’s ability on and off the ball cannot be questioned. He is a perfect example of a modern day full back and provides the necessary overlapping runs that Marcus Rashford thrives on when eyeing up a one-on-one situation. It is no coincidence that Rashford’s form has dwindled this season when Shaw has been absent for the most part.

However, Manchester United have been caught out this season with having too few left backs available. Tyrell Malacia, signed in Erik Ten Hag’s first summer in charge, has been sidelined through injury for the whole season and is unlikely to feature before the summer pre-season tour.

The Red Devils had the services of young star Álvaro Fernandez at their disposal, but made a decision in January to loan him out to SL Benfica with an option-to-buy clause based on conditions of appearances.

While Fernandez was not receiving any minutes or chances in the first-team, the injuries to Shaw and Malacia, plus the sending back of Sergio Reguilon to Tottenham Hotspur, would certainly have given him exposure this season.

However, United took the risk that Shaw could come back from an earlier injury and see the season out. This backfired rather quickly at the end of February when suffered a muscle injury and has not been seen since.

Ten Hag has had to, in unfortunate circumstances, opt for a mixture of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot at left and right back, changing who plays where depending on the opposition.

It is clear that, come the summer transfer window, Manchester United will be looking to the left back market in the hope of signing one that can challenge – and eventually take over from – Luke Shaw.

The Red Devils’ management know the importance of availability and will not want a repeat of this season where they have had over 70 individual cases of illness and injury, preventing the Dutch manager from fielding his best team consistently.