It’s fair to say that Luke Shaw is a fan favourite at Manchester United. Not many players could endure the three season’s the left-back has had, starting the fourth injured, and still have his return as eagerly anticipated as it is. It seems that ever since United signed Shaw back in 2014 for a then record teenage fee of £30m, there has been a real belief that he will one day become the best left-back in the world, and no matter what obstacle is put in front of him, United fans continue to believe.

Since replacing Ashley Cole in Roy Hodgson’s 2014 World Cup squad, arguably England’s finest ever left-back, maybe the weight on Shaw’s shoulder’s was too much too soon? Of course, you don’t have to be a genius to see that Shaw has been extremely unlucky with injuries since joining United, but the youngster has never really managed to get the ball rolling at Old Trafford. A string of good performances is often met by an injury, or comments about his fitness/attitude. It is clear that everyone at Manchester United wants Luke Shaw to succeed, including the player himself, but as the 2017/18 season begins to get into the swing of things – there is a strong sense that this could be Shaw’s last chance to impress at the top level with United.

Having missed the entirety of pre-season and the opening two games of the Premier League with an injury sustained last April, Shaw made his return for the club’s reserves against Swansea on Monday night. The 22-year-old played for just under an hour, and speaking after the game admitted that he felt confident he can break into the first team soon.

“[It felt] very good. I think me and Ash, we both really needed that. I felt like I could have gone on longer but 60 minutes was the aim at the start,” he said.

“We were told we would play 45 to 60 minutes so 60 was great for me. I’m feeling really good and I want to push on from here.”

Shaw will soon return to a bulging Manchester United squad that boasts talent all over the field. Of course, the youngster is the only out and out left-back in the squad, but with Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian as competition –
two players who always do well in the position – it won’t be too simple for Shaw to jump straight into the starting XI. However, he believes that Mourinho has been entirely honest about what he expects from his players and the games on offer for each member of the squad in this season’s campaign.

“We’ve had discussions but the main ones we’ve had so far are about how my injury is, how I’m feeling. I told him straight how I was feeling and that’s good.”

“He tells us all straight what he wants and how it’s going to plan out for the games we have. We’ve got so many games this season and it was the same last season. The games will be bigger this season because we’re back in the Champions League and more of a challenge. We’re all up for it.”

“Everyone is training hard because everyone wants to be on that pitch in the important games. We’re all fighting for a place and now it’s my time to fight for my place.”

The hour that Shaw played last night for the U23’s was a fairly solid performance, and Mourinho would have been encouraged to see the left-back get back up fairly suddenly after a heavy challenge during the game, something Shaw insists was a positive experience and says is in a stronger position this season.

“One of the lads on the pitch said ‘that mustn’t have been good for you’ but I said ‘no, listen, I need to go through this’ because after you’ve been out for a while, you need those tackles earlier on than later because sometimes you think about it,” explained Shaw.

“I feel strong, feel like normal and now I just need to keep fit and push on.”

“When I look back at the [injury] I had last time, I think I’ve came back stronger this time and more positive. Now it’s about getting time on the pitch. I’m feeling really good and hungry for this season.”

So Luke Shaw looks well on his way to returning to action in what will be the most important season of his career so far. However, the youngster admits it won’t be easy to dislodge Mourinho’s current winning formula.

He said: “It’s down to the manager now. We’ve had two very impressive 4-0 wins so it’s going to be challenging to get back into the team. But that’s why I’ve come to United because I want to be in the team and I want to be playing week in, week out.”

“When the manager is ready, I’m ready.”
[Quotes via MEN]