Alex Telles started the first game of Ralf Rangnick's tenure against Crystal Palace and the quality of his performance has seen plenty of Manchester United supporters ponder what the future holds for Luke Shaw.
Previous comments by Rangnick about the player have also added fuel to the flames.
In September 2020, he said: "They could do with a left-back, I know they have Shaw but I'm not so sure if he's still on the same kind of level you need for a club like Manchester United."
However, since those comments, Shaw has enjoyed a resurgence. His form in the second half of the 2020/21 season was unmatched by anyone else in the United side and he was considered one of the best left-backs in world football.
The high point of this form came in the European Championship final where he scored the opener against Italy before England slumped to a heartbreaking penalty shoot-out loss.
Since his return to United this season, Shaw has not maintained his top level of performance and an untimely head injury has opened the door for Telles.
But that does not mean his status as United's first-choice at left-back should be so readily questioned.
Telles is a talented player but, like so many who were consistently on the bench under Ole Gunnar Solskajer, he has gained an unfounded reputation.
As the team was underperforming on the pitch, due to numerous coaching errors by Solskjaer, these players remained untarnished. With no performances to base their ability off bar the odd cameo, they became instant remedies - what the team needed to succeed.
Telles is fantastic going forward, but his defensive work when he has played has been questionable. Shaw, when he is on form, provides quality at both ends of the pitch.
He also has a number of key attributes and traits that would suit Rangnick's gegenpressing system perfectly. Shaw links up well with the players in front of him, being able to easily progress the ball forward through sharp passing or his dribbling ability.
He also provides a good amount of width, which has been mainly shown alongside Marcus Rashford, overlapping to create a crossing opportunity when the England forward is unable to drive into the box and get a shot off.
The only thing that might hinder Shaw is his capacity to adapt to the pressing style of play. He has shown before that he can work on himself, only a few years ago we saw him go through rigorous preseason work to get himself back in shape.
But there is also a mental aspect to Rangnick's game and one criticism you can level against Shaw, despite his many qualities, is his tendency to switch off defensively.
He is, of course, far from alone at United in that regard and has previous experience of operating in a high-pressing system during his formative years at Southampton under Mauricio Pochettino.
Under Rangnick he could look to improve this awareness and take his game to even greater heights than a personally brilliant 2020/21.
What did you think of Ralf Rangnick's first game as Manchester United manager? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comment section below.
