Ultimate United
Luke Shaw Treatment: Harsh or Fair? 1 Apr 2018 15:34
Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw was once again left on the bench during their 2-0 win over Swansea City. Our latest article looks at whether he is being unfairly treated, or if he has brought it upon himself.
By Philip Meese, Chief Editor
Luke Shaw is a player that Manchester United fans have been hoping to see the best of for almost four years. Identified by David Moyes as the eventual long-term successor to Patrice Evra, the transfer was already in place well before his sacking. The deal was then approved by his replacement, Louis van Gaal, in the summer of 2014. Shaw turned down Chelsea, the club he supported growing up, to join the Red Devils.
In recent times, Shaw has become a peripheral figure at Old Trafford, and it is starting to look like his days at United are numbered. He will be 23 this summer, and by now should be making the left-back spot his own. The reality is that he has watched a converted winger, Ashley Young, nail down the position ahead of him.
2014-15
Following a disastrous season under Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor, the ageing team needed ripping up. United fans were excited about the acquisition of Southampton’s young full-back, as it seemed that the then 20 year old would be the answer to that position for at least ten years.
Within days of United arriving in the USA for their pre-season tour, van Gaal complained that Shaw was not at the required level of fitness that he expects of his players. As a result, he devised a special fitness programme for him to get up to speed. Lo and behold, Shaw then picked up a hamstring injury which saw him miss the start of the season. It would not be until the end of September that he made his competitive debut.
His first season was hit and miss, as a combination of niggling injuries and vying with Daley Blind for the left-back spot, halted his progress. Nobody was too concerned, however, after seeing his superb performance at Stamford Bridge towards the end of the campaign. It seemed at matter of time before these kind of performances became the norm.
2015-16
During the first month of van Gaal’s second season, Luke Shaw was probably United’s best player. Over the summer he had gotten himself into shape, admitting he had learnt his lesson from the previous year, and it seemed to be paying off. Unfortunately for the young left-back, disaster struck during United’s first Champions League group match, away to PSV Eindhoven. A sliding tackle by Héctor Moreno resulted in Shaw suffering a double leg fracture.
Given how long play was held up for while medics tended to him, it was no surprise when Shaw was ruled out for the rest of the season. It seemed that he was having no luck whatsoever. Just as he had started to get into his stride, his injury jinx had struck again. By the time Shaw would be ready to play again, he would have a new manager.
2016-17
When José Mourinho finally got the job he had been waiting for, Luke Shaw was initially his first choice left-back. He started him in the Community Shield against Leicester City, and in United’s first five Premier League games of the season. Following a naïve performance against Watford, Mourinho publicly criticised Shaw for his positioning, and later replaced him with Memphis Depay.
Throughout the rest of the season, Shaw was used sparingly. Mourinho, it seemed, did not trust him, particularly after he declared himself unfit to play against Swansea City. Some cynically minded people believed it was petty revenge for the fact that Shaw had turned down a move to his Chelsea side to join United. Towards the end of the season, Shaw did start, ironically against Swansea, only to pick up another injury, ankle ligaments this time, which ended his season.
This Season
It has been much of the same this term, as Ashley Young is seemingly Mourinho’s go-to guy at left back. Shaw got his chance, however, in January when he played five games in a row for the first time since his leg break. Mourinho himself insisted that he doesn’t see any better left back than Shaw, but then dropped him against Burnley.
Against Brighton & Hove Albion, he was given the humiliation of being substituted at half time, with his manager claiming that the opposition were getting too much freedom down Shaw’s side. Shaw apparently blew up in the dressing room, accusing his manager of constantly picking on him. The fact that he was an unused substitute in yesterday’s game was not much of a surprise.
Harsh or Fair?
On the surface, it does seem that Lady Luck doesn’t have a lot of time for Luke Shaw. The injury he suffered against PSV must have taken some coming back from, both physically and mentally. The left-backs talent is not in question at all, but so far we have only seen glimpses of what he can do. The big question, however, seems to be his fitness, and his attitude.
Four of the managers that Shaw has played under during his career so far have expressed concerns over his attitude and discipline. In addition to the criticism levelled at him by Mourinho and van Gaal, Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino revealed earlier this season that Shaw didn’t work hard enough during their time together at Southampton. His former England boss Roy Hodgson also hinted that Shaw could have been fitter having included him in his squad for the 2014 World Cup.
It is said that Shaw is one of those players that needs an arm putting around him. Maybe that approach has failed, and what he needs is a kick up the backside. Mourinho, van Gaal, Hodgson and Pochettino are all managers who have coached at the top level, and all of them are singing a similar tune about the United left back. Surely they can’t all be wrong?
Future
Mourinho’s comments in January, that Shaw is one of the best left backs in the world, do not indicate that he doesn’t rate the defender. The Portuguese manager would not put his name to such an opinion just to boost a player’s ego. That’s just not his style in the slightest. One suspects that he would be more likely to try and avoid the question, rather than big up a player he doesn’t fancy.
The rumour mill that surrounds Old Trafford seems to suggest that Luke Shaw isn’t following instructions. There have often been concerns over his weight, and general lack of professionalism, among rumours that the defender regularly frequents fast food restaurants. This is a big shame because he has all the ability you could want for someone in his position. What is questionable, however, is whether he has the desire and the guts to make the best of that potential. The stage is all set for him at Old Trafford, he can be whatever he wants to be. The question seems to be how much he really wants it.
It’s very likely that this summer will give a clear indication, one way or the other. If Mourinho doesn’t sell him that would indicate that he does believe in him after all. The remarks he made in January suggest that he wants him to fulfil his immense potential.
If United were to sell, there would probably be no shortage of takers. A reunion with Pochettino at Tottenham has been linked recently, and a swap deal with Danny Rose has been suggested. These are only rumours, however, and it may be that a club lower down the table is his next destination if he were to depart Old Trafford.
A fresh start might do him the world of good, especially if the only clubs that come in for him are mid-table ones. That might be the one thing that makes him realise just what direction his career is heading at the moment.
Final Thought
Most fans want to see Luke Shaw in the side, in spite of how well Ashley Young has performed in the role. Before the finger is pointed at Mourinho, however, we don’t see Shaw in training every day. If he doesn’t think he deserves to be in the team, then there must be a reason for this.
Given how his managers have criticised Luke Shaw in the past, it’s not that hard to see why the Portuguese believes he isn’t currently up to it. Whether he will be in the future still remains to be seen.
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