Ruben Amorim and Erik ten Hag have agreed on the world class abilities of a current Manchester United player but both listed the same factor as to why he hasn’t reached the heights he could have.
The left-back position at Manchester United has been one that has been filled with misfortune over the last couple of years.
Signed a decade ago under Louis van Gaal, Luke Shaw has been the starting left-back for the majority of his time at Old Trafford, despite suffering from a number of injuries in those ten years, with his main one being a Tibia and fibula fracture in 2015, which saw him miss 64 games.
Former boss Erik ten Hag signed prospect Tyrell Malacia to rival Shaw, but he has spent much of his time at the club injured, meaning he has never got his chance to establish himself at left-back.
As a result of that, in the 2023/24, Diogo Dalot who is a natural right-back, had to play on the left and he struggled at times.
Amorim’s assessment on Shaw’s future
Amorim has looked to improve the left-back position, signing Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu in January and Diego León this summer, who will act as Dorgu’s understudy going forward.
Pair that with the signing of Ayden Heaven, who operates in Shaw’s left centre-back role where he has prominently featured at, means his game time has further been limited.
With rumours circling of a potential move away to Saudi Arabia, Amorim broke his silence on Shaw’s situation at the club in a pre-season press conference, saying: “I think Luke Shaw is a world-class player. That is my feeling – when he touches the ball, the ability to play one against one. England had two finals and he’s always there – that means something.
“He needs to be fit, he needs to train always within the limit. He’s doing that in the moment and he’s a great player but he has competition this season.”
Amorim echoes Ten Hag’s sentiment
Ahead of United’s FA Cup final against Man City last season, Ten Hag spoke to Dutch outlet Vi.NL, with the former boss calling Shaw “the best left-back in the world”.
He added: “This guy is so good. But he has suffered a horrible injury at the start of his career and because of this he will never be able to play 60 games per season.”
Shaw has two years left on his contract, but is reportedly concerned that he is dropping down the pecking order at Old Trafford. Amorim however is not looking to move Shaw on amidst links to a move away for the 30-year-old.
Shaw remains a key figure in the dressing room, and could add some vital experience on that left flank considering the ages of Dorgu (20) and Leon (18).
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