Shaw (MUN, Defender, £4.5m)

Verdict: HOLD

Luke Shaw is a nailed-on starter at a budget price, and despite a blank in Gameweek 1, his attacking potential and upcoming home fixture against Ipswich make him a solid hold.

The Reasoning

Fitness & Availability: Shaw is fully fit and available for selection, having played 90 minutes in Gameweek 1. There are no injury concerns or news to report.
Recent Performance: He registered a single point in Gameweek 1, as Man Utd conceded two goals and he didn't contribute to any attacking returns. However, his creativity of 59.2 in that game suggests he was still getting into advanced positions.
Upcoming Fixtures: Gameweek 2 brings a prime home fixture against newly promoted Ipswich (difficulty 2), offering a strong chance for a clean sheet and potential attacking returns. Following that, Everton (A, difficulty 3) is a decent fixture before a tough test against Man City (H, difficulty 4).
Underlying Stats: At £4.5m, Shaw offers exceptional value as a starting defender for a top-six side. His ICT Index of 9.0 in GW1, driven by high creativity, indicates his continued attacking involvement. Historically, he's shown good assist potential, making him more than just a clean sheet merchant.

Risks

The primary risk is Manchester United's defensive consistency, which was lacking in Gameweek 1. After the Ipswich fixture, the schedule becomes tougher with Man City on the horizon. While currently fit, Shaw has had a history of injuries, though there are no immediate concerns.

Alternative Options

If you're looking for other budget defenders at £4.5m, consider options like Estupiñán (BHA) or Udogie (TOT) if they are fit and have favourable fixtures, offering similar attacking upside.

The Strategic Play

Shaw is a fantastic enabler at £4.5m. Hold him for the promising Ipswich home fixture, where he has a strong chance to haul. His long-term value as a nailed-on starter with attacking threat for a top team means he's worth keeping in your squad, allowing funds to be invested elsewhere.

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