Shaw-Rashford 'connection' positive - now Carrick must navigate tricky week

Luke Shaw was one of Manchester United's better performers against Everton . The defender got forward with regularity and it was encouraging to see him provide the cross for Benjamin Sesko's late header. "He was really good," said former United striker Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day. "Defensively he was leading and he was good going forward as well. He looked more of a threat in his connection with Marcus [Rashford]." To that end, Michael Carrick will hope the "something" Rashford felt that led to his second-half exit is not serious. "Marcus and Luke were particularly dangerous down that side," said Carrick. "They've played together for quite some time now and have an understanding. We're trying to build partnerships and combinations throughout the team." Shaw has been ever-present in United's Premier League starting line-up since the beginning of last season. "It was great to see that left side and the connection they have had for years, it was like Luke Shaw when he first came to the club," ex-United winger Ashley Young told Match of the Day. "He goes so quick, overlaps and gets balls into the box, gets the defence on the back foot." Now, though, Carrick must navigate through a tricky spell of four games in 11 days. It is the busiest period he has had as United boss. Last term, neither of his two midweek games were followed by weekend matches. How involved will Shaw be? If he does not play, who starts? Does Joshua Zirkzee really have a meaningful role? Sesko, presumably, has put himself in line to start against Sabah on Thursday? Or does Carrick prioritise Sunday's Manchester derby instead. These are the unanswered questions that would always come in a campaign that could feature 60 games. The tricky bit is navigating through, while delivering positive results. Watch Sunday's episode of Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer