Luke Shaw has responded to the recent criticism he has received from Manchester United legend Roy Keane, in complete contrast to Bruno Fernandes.
Luke Shaw has started the season as Manchester United’s first-choice left-centre-back, with Lisandro Martínez out of the side due to an ACL injury picked up in March of this year.
While Shaw has experience in central defence – from his time under Erik ten Hag, when he briefly partnered Raphael Varane – he is still learning the role and will need time before it is completely natural to him.
The England international impressed against Chelsea, bouncing back after his poor performance in the Manchester derby last weekend.
After the embarrassing defeat to Manchester City, Roy Keane claimed Shaw “gave up” for Phil Foden’s first goal before saying: “[Shaw] has been getting away with murder for years,” at Old Trafford.
Shaw reponds to Keane criticism
While he wasn’t directly involved in the goal, Shaw played a key role in Casemiro’s goal to put United 2-0 up, in a solid performance from the former Southampton full-back.
Speaking to MEN after the Chelsea game, Shaw was asked about Keane’s criticism and made two key points in response to the club legend.
“I think people have opinions. Sometimes you just have to take it [criticism] on the chin,” the English defender began.
“He’s [Keane’s] got a lot of experience, he was one of the best captains ever for Manchester United and, of course, it hurts. But for me, criticism is part of being a football player. I listen to it, but I think he was right.
“Last week, I wasn’t at my level at all and I don’t need Roy Keane to tell me. After the game, I knew that. But of course it hurts. The most important thing is knowing how good I can be and I think the manager knows that and the managers who I played under in the past know that.”
Shaw continued to say: “I’m always in the team, I’m always playing, so there must be something the managers [see and] must believe in me. I’m not getting any younger and I need to be consistent, I’ve had lots of ups and downs and it’s about keeping that consistently high level because I know I can do that.
“And that’s why last week hurt me a lot because I know that’s not my level and I think the criticism is completely understandable, I take it on the chin and listen to it and I move on.”
Amorim’s appreciation for Shaw
Shaw’s maturity for the situation – despite being left out of Rúben Amorim’s six-man leadership group – is very commendable.
While Shaw will likely lose his starting spot when Martínez returns to full fitness, it is clear that Amorim holds him in high regard and values him more than most realise.
Ayden Heaven was brilliant during his spell in the side last season, and likely would’ve started until the end of the season if he hadn’t suffered an injury against Leicester City.
The former Arsenal defender could have been chosen ahead of Shaw on the left side of central defence, while Noussair Mazroui and Leny Yoro have also featured in that role. Yet Shaw keeps his place.
Amorim has an appreciation for Shaw that most fail to see. His role in the side when Martínez returns will be very interesting to see.
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