Manchester United: Who Should Start at Left-Back vs. Everton?

Following an impressive five-game win streak where the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham were dismantled, Manchester United have some selection dilemmas on their hands.

With Juan Mata and Ashley Young manning the wing spots, and both in form, Angel Di Maria has been reduced to a reserve role. Antonio Valencia, too, even as a converted right-back, is performing in a manner that makes it very difficult for Rafael da Silva to see any game action at all.

Until Daley Blind picked up a knock against Manchester City, it seemed as if Luke Shaw would be resigned to the same treatment as his Brazilian teammate for the rest of the season.

However, with both Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo injured for the Chelsea match, there was no doubt over who the left-back role was going to. 

As the cliche goes, this was Shaw's "chance to shine," and he certainly did.

While the 19 year-old receiving a starting berth was initially not an enticing prospect to many United fans, the young Englishman was quite possibly his team's finest performer on the day.

Shaw put in the type of complete performance every "modern full-back" strives to, contributing with verve and composure on both ends of the pitch.

Per WhoScored.com, the wunderkind won four aerial duels, and made two tackles and clearances apiece. While his ability to play physically and be diligent with his defensive duties was impressive, the reason this may have been Shaw's best United game to date was the composure he showed.

Despite showcasing defensive brawn throughout the match, he did not commit one foul, and he completed an absurd 98.1 percent of these passes. Given that he completed three long balls, and strung through three key passes, Shaw was clearly playing aggressively. He also terrorized Branislav Ivanovic down the flank for much of the afternoon and set up a chance that Wayne Rooney could've put away.

Shaw, the most expensive teenager in football history, has been the subject of an insane amount of hype and expectation.

He's struggled for form and fitness at United in his first season, but his shift against Chelsea was one of immense quality, and hopefully it can be a turning point in his career at Old Trafford.

In the short term however, Louis van Gaal has a decision to make for Sunday.

While Luke Shaw was superb against Chelsea, Daley Blind has been more steady throughout the season, and is expected to be fit to return against Everton, per physioroom.com

The two are both impressive players, but offer different things to the side.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Shaw, at his best, is a box-to-box phenom who charges up the flanks and robust in defense. At his worst, his final product can be heavily lacking, and like other 19-year-olds, he can be naive in a positional sense, perhaps losing a man or getting caught too far forward.

Blind, who is naturally a holding midfielder, brings composure on the ball and positional awareness to the left-back position. On his day, with his high soccer IQ, he can quiet explosive attackers, as he did to Raheem Sterling vs. Liverpool. However, his lack of pace and physicality can leave him out to dry, as he struggled to deal with Jesus Navas and Pablo Zabaleta vs. Manchester City.

For all of Shaw's explosive runs down the wings, there are moments of naivety, and for all of Blind's composure and aplomb, there are occasions his lack of burst hurts him.

At this juncture, it seems harsh to leave either player off the team sheet for the Everton match, but due to his current form and superior speed and athleticism, Shaw should get the nod ever so slightly.

Everton, in the mold of a poor man's Manchester City, sport a speedy duo on the right flank with Aaron Lennon and Seamus Coleman both providing an attacking threat. Daley Blind struggled with the speed of the Citizens, and while Aaron Lennon isn't Manchester City quality, he is no less fast than Jesus Navas.

Luke Shaw could certainly go on to be a world-class player, but that development won't happen until he is given a consistent run of games.

If Louis Van Gaal isn't afraid to be a little bold, he can give him that chance now.

Stats and info via physioroom.com and WhoScored.com in this article