Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is confident that left back Luke Shaw can excel in the centre-back position.

Shaw helped United beat Nottingham Forest and Wolves over the holidays because Ten Hag put the English player in the middle of his defense.

The 27-year-old could start again at center back with Raphael Varane on Tuesday, when United play their first game of 2023 against Bournemouth at Old Trafford.

Lisandro Martinez, who won the World Cup with Argentina, is back in training and may be ready to play, but if the center-back needs more rest, Ten Hag has no problem calling on Shaw again.

That would be bad news for United center-back Harry Maguire, who has been struggling to stay in Ten Hag’s starting lineup this season.

“You have a plan, sometimes it changes by circumstances like illnesses. Casemiro did well at centre-half, like Shaw against Forest,” Ten Hag said on Monday.

“The way we were to approach Wolves, I thought it was the best match with Rafa (Varane) and Luke, you know the speed of Wolves over the right side and he could cover that.

“We wanted to attack on the left side with an offensive game from Tyrell Malacia and, in possession with a left footer, you get better angles on the pitch.

“He was impressing but he is also good as a left full-back. It’s an extra option which is always good.”