Luke Shaw and Alex Telles should know what Ralf Rangnick is thinking at Manchester United

Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka were guaranteed starters at Manchester United at the start of the season.

That changed when Ralf Rangnick was appointed at Old Trafford on an interim basis in late November. Rangnick has provided AlexTelles and Diogo Dalot with more opportunities, and Shaw and Wan-Bissaka have had to wrestle with uncertainty at United.

That is conducive to improving standards at the club. It's always healthy to have competition for places.

Shaw and Wan-Bissaka have also struggled with their own respective fitness concerns this term. Telles and Dalot have patiently waited to prove their worth and they've finally had that chance under Rangnick. While they've auditioned for a permanent place in the starting line-up, it's fair to suggest that only one player has been successful. That's Dalot on the right side of defence.

Dalot has been a breath of fresh air moving forward from right-back, whereas Telles hasn't been as consistent with his performances and this has left the door open for Shaw to return to the starting XI, just like he did against Burnley on Tuesday night.

Rangnick was recently asked about the qualities he wants to see in his full-backs and his comments offered Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Telles and Dalot an insight into his mind. "They have to be both [attacking and defending]," Rangnick said.

"They have to be defenders and at the same time give as much input as they possibly can when we're in possession of the ball. They should be offensive full-backs, offensive defenders and I think in the last couple of weeks we have improved in those areas.

"With regard to our own full-backs, as I said, I'm happy with the development that all those players have taken. This is what I want to see, offensive