Premier League captain names Man Utd star who INEOS are trying to replace as one of his ‘hardest opponents’

John McGinn has revealed that Luke Shaw is one of the toughest opponents he’s ever faced.

McGinn named Manchester United’s No.23 alongside Riccardo Calafiori when being quizzed by the Stick to Football panel.

What did McGinn have to say about Shaw?

The Aston Villa captain said: “Calafiori and Luke Shaw would be my two hardest opponents.

“Luke Shaw because I needed to completely adapt my game with Luke Shaw. Because we’re of a similar build. He’s one I had to completely try and adapt [to]. Calafiori was much stronger than I thought. I was really impressed with him.”

When fit and at his best, Shaw has often proven he is up there with the absolute best left-backs in Europe in terms of quality and ability.

However, it’s his availability that has seen him fall in the rankings considerably in recent years.

How has Shaw fared?

Since signing for United in 2014, the defender – according to Transfermarkt – has missed a whopping 236 matches through injury across all competitions.

As a result, he has been limited to 326 appearances for the Red Devils, which is two fewer than his captain Bruno Fernandes, who signed for the club five-and-a-half years after Shaw.

Now United’s longest-serving member of the squad, the 31-year-old faces a decisive campaign at the heart of Michael Carrick’s backline, as his contract is due to expire in June 2027.

Shaw’s terms do not contain a 12-month option, meaning an entirely new deal would need to be negotiated, or else he will leave as a free agent.

It would see his tenure draw to an end after 13 years at Old Trafford, with United already viewing Lewis Hall as an ideal successor to his fellow England international.

Read more: £60 million Premier League ace thinks he’s a ‘strong fit’ at MUFC, it’s giving INEOS ‘confidence’ over a deal