(Manchester United News)
Manchester United legend Denis Irwin is intrigued by the battle for his old left-back berth and believes the latest incumbent Luke Shaw will embrace the challenge.
England international Shaw performed excellently in the role during Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, picking up from where Daley Blind had left off. Blind's impressive sequence of matches on the left-hand side of defence came to an end when he was injured in the Manchester derby but the Dutchman has shown he is certainly capable of competing for the position.
Speaking ahead of the Stamford Bridge encounter, Irwin pondered what the future may hold for last summer's acquisition from Southampton. He told ManUtd.com: "Luke Shaw has had a stop-start season because he’s had a lot of injuries. I think he just needs a run of games to get up and running. Shaw's got competition for his place now but he knew that would be the case anyway when he came here. He's got a challenge in front of him but he's only a young lad. And while he’s not had the season he would have liked because of those injuries, he'll still learn an awful lot.
"He's had an unbelievable two years. He broke into Southampton's side at a really young age, played particularly well to get into the England squad and then played in the World Cup in Brazil. So it's been a whirlwind and he needs to gather his thoughts and go again. There's no doubt he's a tremendous player - a pacey, modern full-back who likes to attack. I think he'll be here for many years to come."
Denis Irwin was promoting the Red Heart United legends game against Bayern Munich All-Stars on Sunday 14 June. Tickets are available from £20 for adults and £5 for under 16s.
