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Manchester United were once again reminded that they need to strengthen at left-back during Sunday’s 5-2 win over Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on 30 August. Luke Shaw kept his place in the starting XI after the disappointing 2-0 loss to Hull City on the opening day, but his display was a mixed one.

The Red Devils are still in the market for a new left-back, particularly because they will also be involved in the Champions League this season. Shaw started all 38 Premier League matches last term, but considering his poor fitness record, it may be difficult for him to cope with playing three times a week.

Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall has been spoken about as an upgrade on the 31-year-old, while Barcelona pace merchant Alejandro Balde is also said to be on INEOS’ radar. Even so, taking Hall away from St. James’ Park in the closing days of the summer window appears unlikely, and a move for Balde is also uncertain.

While United press on with their search for a new left-back, Shaw’s own future remains unclear, especially with his contract due to expire next summer. Club legend Rio Ferdinand has now set out what he believes the Red Devils should do regarding the experienced full-back.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ferdinand said United do not have the funds to properly replace Shaw in this transfer window. He said: “In a couple of my WhatsApp chats, some United fans were saying, ‘Luke Shaw, get rid!’… Luke Shaw, over the last year, has been one of our most consistent performers and you’re sitting there saying, ‘He should be there’, or, ‘He should be somewhere else’… no!”

“Go and get a left-back that we want to actually bed in over time to be a replacement for someone like Luke Shaw. You think you’re going to go in the market and find someone? It’s like £60m we’d have to pay. We ain’t got that! We haven’t got the budget after paying the amount of money that we have to reinforce the midfield.”

The former United defender went on to argue that his old club should be looking for cover at left-back rather than an immediate replacement for Shaw, adding: “Listen, Luke Shaw has had better games, yes, but is he one where we’re looking to improve that area immediately? No, no. We need back-up in that area now with the thought of long-term.”

“Let’s not get carried away. There’s too many people getting carried away and have personal vendettas against people to try and make people think he’s not good enough. Just look at the last year’s performance. He was one of our top four or five performing players consistency-wise, 100 per cent. One below-par game today doesn’t change things for me.”

Ferdinand also expressed concern over the lack of a deputy for Shaw in the current squad, saying: “The only thing I would say is in the left-back area, yes, we haven’t got that understudy there where you’re thinking that’s a ready-made replacement looking to come in. We haven’t got that guy right now.”

“The club don’t think Harry Amass is that guy it seems because he doesn’t seem to be close to it at the moment. That’s the way it is, whether we believe Harry Amass is good enough or not.”

The former England centre-back maintained that Shaw is still good enough to play for United, but not capable of handling the number of matches the team will face this season. He concluded: “It seems the club doesn’t feel like that so I don’t look it at like: replace Luke Shaw.”

“I look at it like: let’s find someone who could be a replacement in time, over time, because I still think he [Shaw] is good enough to play. It’s just the volume of games we’re going to have this season, he isn’t going to be able to play all of those games.”

United’s shortage of cover at left-back could become a serious issue if it is not sorted out in the next few days. INEOS should therefore increase their efforts and perhaps try to complete a move for someone like Joaquin Seys.