Ruben Amorim has been assessing his Manchester United squad since his arrival and changes are expected to be made in the summer window.
Manchester United appointed Ruben Amorim in November earlier this season and any hopes of a quick turnaround were quickly diminished, with the club sitting in the bottom half of the Premier League.
The Portuguese boss has had a difficult time this term and will be hoping to see major improvements once he has been able to make changes during the summer transfer window.
Importantly, these extra months in the job have at least given Amorim time to assess the majority of his squad and determine how he sees their futures with the club.
It has been harder for the head coach to judge those who have been on the treatment table. In particular, Luke Shaw, who has yet to start a game for the new boss.
Shaw has been injured for much of this season and has recently returned to training, and will be hoping that he can finally make an impression on Amorim on the pitch soon.
Amorim still believes Shaw has a future at United
It has only been a handful of appearances off the bench for Shaw under Amorim so far but the left-back’s situation is quite clear.
He bolsters the squad significantly when he is fit, but that is always a question-mark with the injury-prone defender, who has not started a game for the club since February 2024.
Despite this, it has been reported by Graeme Bailey that the United boss still believes Shaw has a future with the club.
The report explained that Amorim and United are planning for the 29-year-old to complete a full pre-season before pushing to be an actual part of the squad next term.
“Manchester United and Ruben Amorim still think Luke Shaw could have a future at the club, they have no doubts about his talent,” the journalist told UnitedInFocus.
“However, clearly the fact he has not started a league game under Amorim is a huge concern. I am told they think he could be a very good fit within Amorim’s system as part of the back three.
“Shaw has just over two years left on his contract and he is on a contract that I am told is probably best described as ‘substantial’ which means it is very hard to move. Even if United wanted to move on, nobody is taking that on – due to his injury concerns.
“I understand that United hope Shaw can have a good pre-season and then push to be part of the first-team squad – that is Plan A and the best outcome, if that doesn’t happen. It will be reviewed.”
Shaw has last chance at United but doubts remain
As mentioned at the end, United will review Shaw’s situation if things do not go to plan next season and it seems like this might finally be his last chance at the club.
There are few people who doubt the defender’s actual ability, and it isn’t controversial to say that United are missing some of that extra quality across the pitch right now.
But there are never any guarantees with Shaw and unfortunately his injury issues have heavily impacted how he is viewed.
Perhaps the fact that he is considered as a wide centre-back in this new system may help him, alongside the fact that he will no longer be relied on to start every game.
Shaw’s most recent injury issues stemmed from him being rushed back by Erik ten Hag last season after suffering an issue. Amorim has enough defensive options to avoid that same concern.
In the end, Shaw’s future will depend on whether he can actually stay fit over the next 12 months and you cannot blame anyone for being doubtful of that happening.
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