Luke Shaw: His history and future with Manchester United
Luke Shaw’s career at Manchester United so far
Luke Shaw became the most expensive teenager in British football history after signing for Manchester United from Southampton in the summer of 2014.
He was hyped to be the best left-back in the Premier League, and one of the best in the world.
Ex-Manchester United assistant manager, Ryan Giggs’ said this upon Shaw’s arrival at the club:
"“Luke is a very talented young left-back with great potential. He has developed immensely during his time at Southampton and has all the attributes to become a top player. I am delighted he has joined Manchester United as I believe this is the right club for him to continue his development as a young player and eventually fulfil that promise.”"
His potential as a left-back was evident while playing for Southampton and United fans were really delighted that he signed for the club.
Luke Shaw’s first season at the club was rather disastrous, as he missed 15 matches through injuries.
Despite making 20 appearances in his debut season, he recorded zero goals or assists.
Fortunately for Shaw, this wasn’t seen as a big issue by the fans nor the Manchester United manager at the time Louis Van Gaal.
Looking to put his injury problems in the past, Luke Shaw was fully fit and ready to start the 2015/16 season right.
Shaw started in all five Premier League fixtures and both the UEFA Champions League qualification matches against Club Brugge.
He managed to bag himself one assist, not a bad return for a left-back..
He was also seen developing a solid partnership with Manchester United’s former No.7 Memphis Depay.
Then came the match that turned his career completely around.
The England international made his Champions League group-stage debut against PSV Eindhoven, where he suffered a double fracture in his right leg after PSV defender Hector Moreno tackled him while he was en route to score an exquisite goal.
Here is a video of “that tackle” that changed his career:
Shaw would be sidelined for the rest of the year, but would work hard to be fit for the start of the 2016-17 season.
Unfortunately for the Englishman, his injuries weren’t behind him. He made a total of 19 appearances throughout the season and missed a total of 18 games through injury.
His ‘injury prone’ status was frustrating for the team at this time, and there were many questions surrounding his future at the club.
2017/18 season
So far this season Shaw has been forced to feature for the U-23’s. Sadly, that didn’t turn out well for him either.
He started in four games for the U-23’s, losing three of them and drawing one.
As for first team football, he only made two appearances for the first team, both of them being in the EFL Cup.
One of which was Tuesday, where he came on at the end of the game against Swansea City.
But after getting three minutes of playing time against Swansea City, his future at the club is once again being questioned.
Is it time up for Luke Shaw at Manchester United?
My answer to this absurd question is NO. Maybe “not yet” would be a better answer but as of now, it’s a NO from me.
Although I’d understand if you think it’s time for him to go, I think it’s only fair to give him until the end of the season before judging him.
We’ve already waited three years to see if Shaw has what it takes. What’s one more?
I think Shaw is definitely part of Jose Mourinho’s plan this season but is receiving a Mkhitaryan-esque treatment, but to another degree.
I strongly believe that Luke Shaw can still become the full-back that he was once hyped to be, whether he remains at Manchester United or gets sold to another club.
Next: Ryan Giggs: Give Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof time to prove himself
Do you think that Luke Shaw is done at Manchester United? Let me know by tweeting me @ThatSohailGuy!