Erik ten Hag's double Manchester United transfer hint vs Newcastle United

Erik ten Hag's decision to start Luke Shaw at centre-back and Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield said as much about two players sat on the bench as it did about them.

Manchester United's line-up at Newcastle was pretty left-field by the manager's standards, who became so predictable last season that the in-house graphic designer could release the same template onto social media an hour before every kick-off. Four changes were made from the team that walked out at Rams Park in the Champions League on Wednesday, the most notable of which was the return of Mainoo.

He was preferred for a second consecutive Premier League start over the more experienced Sofyan Amrabat, who has failed to impress since arriving on loan from Fiorentina. The 18-year-old Mainoo was assured and is one of few in red who could walk off the pitch with his head held high.

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Diogo Dalot's introduction at left-back saw Shaw moved into a central role, where he partnered Harry Maguire for the first time. The 28-year-old Shaw had been absent since August but has started all three games since returning and played 255 minutes - a sign of his importance to Ten Hag.

It was another dismal away-day against top-eight opposition for United with Anthony Gordon scoring the only goal of the game. Shaw was needed at left-back to block Kieran Trippier's cross but was equally solid alongside Maguire.

Ten Hag has already explained how something like Shaw's move into centre-back, or Victor Lindelof starting there, is not a direct snub of Raphael Varane but the Champions League and World Cup winner must be thinking what he can do to make the team. He has not started a