It’s been a tough spell for Luke Shaw since he broke his leg two seasons ago. He’s struggled with fitness, his confidence is shot and a string of managers have questioned whether or not he can cut it at the top level. To make matters worse, he’s also at the bottom of the pecking order too, with Jose Mourinho opting for the services of Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind instead, as well as natural midfielder Ashley Young.
In recent months there have also been rumours that his days at Manchester United are numbered, with a January loan move to Newcastle being a possibility. With 2018 being a World Cup year and his chances being limited, it’s looking less and less likely that he will be in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, especially with Young earning himself a recall this year.
For most people this level of scrutiny and pressure would understandably be too much to bear, yet for the second time in as many games, Luke Shaw has earned himself the Man of the Match award and given his manager a very welcome selection headache going forward - something that not many would have predicted at the start of the season.
"I am not saying he is first or second choice, Luke Shaw is an option,” said Mourinho. “People forget his history, a hard history with an incredible injury and more surgery last season. "I liked the standing ovation he got, it only helps the player."
Despite not completing the full 90 minutes in last night’s 1-0 victory against Bournemouth, Shaw will take solace in the fact that both his manager and the fans showed their appreciation of his performance. The 22-year-old was given a standing ovation by the Old Trafford faithful and, more importantly, the backing of his manager.
Before his injury, Shaw was considered by many at Manchester United as the best left back in the country and a future star at both club and international level. So much so that he was even named in a Liverpool-United combined XI when the two sides met earlier this season, despite having played just 48 minutes of EFL Cup football this season.
What Shaw offers to this Manchester United side is a solid option in both defence and attack. His positional sense and electric pace make him a tough man to beat, while his ability on the ball and eye for a cross gives his team that much-needed outlet with the likes of Martial and Rashford (when played) drift inside.
Under Louis van Gaal’s tenure Shaw blossomed, albeit briefly, and his partnership with Memphis Depay provided United with the edge that often proved decisive prior to his injury. Jose Mourinho will be hoping he can develop a similar bond with his current wide men this time around and kick on to getting himself back in the first team.
While the player’s future at the club remains to be seen, there’s no questioning that if he continues in the same vein he might very well be the saving grace for both club and country this season.
