Would you keep Shaw and Varane as first choice centre-back pairing?

Absolutely not. Martinez is brilliant and Shaw improves the Lb spot. Easy decision
 
Of course Varane and Martinez are our main two.

The better question is whether Shaw in the centre with Malacia on the left is better than Lindelof or Maguire in the centre with Shaw on the left. Probably not when it's Varane that is out, but if it's Martinez not playing there's a decent argument for it.
 
He's our best left back and martinez is our 2nd best centre back

It's great to see him deputise so well though and brings more flexibility to the squad
 
Right now the first choice should be and most likely will be Varane-Martinez. But it is possible that Shaw will deputise as emergency LCB when Martinez is out. As Martinez doesn’t miss a lot of games, this may work better instead of buying a high potential backup LCB and stagnate his development by keeping him mostly in the bench.

Also in that case we can replace Maguire with a high quality RCB in the summer to cover Varane whose minutes will have to be managed more carefully thus giving enough game time for both him and the new RCB.

If, however, Shaw signs a new deal and at least one of Malacia or Alvaro progresses enough then Shaw can be moved to backup LCB a few years down the line.
 
I mentioned before that I could potentially see Shaw playing centre back.

I wouldn't play him there as a first choice but this potentially means we can use him there when Martinez is injured/rested.

Dalot/Timber - Varane/Timber - Martinez/Shaw - Shaw/Malacia

The main 6 being used, then a couple of youth players. Maybe Laird and a young centre back.
 
If we didn't had Martinez for sure, but having him he must play and move Shaw to LB where he offers a lot more in the build up than Malacia.
 
SER19 said:
Absolutely not. Martinez is brilliant and Shaw improves the Lb spot. Easy decision
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Yes, I believe our attack on both flanks, will be much improved with Shaw and Dalot. Martinez is a better CB without a doubt.
 
Shaw needs to get back to the left, we really miss him further up the pitch. Malacia has been underwhelming recently.
 
It then becomes a choice of Malacia or Martinez at LB. In both instances I'd prefer to have Shaw as LB.

The positive thing is that he can probably do this job more often and provides some flexibility with injuries and form but I don't see a need for a Alaba style transition unless we have an injury crisis or something happens to Martinez.
 
No. I'm not keen on Malacia at left back and while Shaw has done well deputising in the middle, we lose something from our build-up when he's not played at LB. The sooner we can slot Martinez back in and move Shaw back, the better.
 
We need Shaw at left-back but there isn't much between him and Lisandro at centre-back.
 
No, Martinez will be back in ASAP and Shaw is needed at LB.
 
I don’t know how OP can watch football and think Shaw and Licha’s passing from deep is anywhere near comparable. Our pedestrian pace for most of the 1st half was due to the faffing about at the back.

Shaw has done well given the circumstances but Licha should be straight back in once hes match fit.
 
Shaw have been excellent at CB, but Martinez is of course coming back into the team. If Casemiro is out, one option is definitely to move Martinez to CDM and play Shaw as a CB.

However, we are just a completely different team when we have Martinez/Shaw at CLB instead of Maguire/Lindelof.

We need to cut costs, I am not against selling Maguire without replacing him. We have 5 guys who can play CB, Martinez, Varane, Shaw, Lindelof and Casemiro.
 
Lee565 said:
I find shaw more reassuring in central defence as he stays on his feet and passing wise I would say there is little between the two of them.
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this is one of the worst takes I've seen here recently
 
Shaw's played CB against 2 teams that have barely structured together any serious attacks in open play, and he's done really well for the job that's been asked of him, but I wouldn't overrate him ahead of Licha for a moment.
 
Samid said:
Think Shaw will eventually move to LCB full time, whether with us or with someone else. He’s a very compact, efficient, tidy player and I think he could do very well there given a run of games.
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Respectfully disagree
 
Lee565 said:
They have looked really solid together and shaw has not put a foot wrong, as much as I like martinez with his warrior attitude I find shaw more reassuring in central defence as he stays on his feet and passing wise I would say there is little between the two of them.
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Jesus it’s been a few games against poor opposition

no I want shaw back at lb and martinez back in cd
That’s a much much stronger defence and more of a threat going forward
 
No.

Licha and Varane are our best cb pairing.

We lose Licha's lune breaking passes from the back, too.
 
I don't think it makes any sense currently as LB then takes a nosedive. Malacia is currently a far weaker player in our lineup than Martinez.

It's reassuring to know he can do it though.
 
krazyrobus said:
No. Shaw adds more to the attack than Malacia. Licha also adds a measure of passing control better than Shaw.
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Yeah, this exactly, also Shaw hasn't exactly been tested these 2 games. He has been good, but would struggle against an actual opponent
 
No. De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro and ETH's coaching make for a very solid back 6.
 
Shaw had 2 very good and comfortable games but played against the 18th and 19th placed teams in the league. Don't want to downplay his performances, but come on, that's not something to make decisions off of.
 
No. But Shaw would definitely be the first-choice LCB in a 3.
 
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