Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United’s new season can be ‘the season of Luke Shaw’ after the left-back endured a difficult first year at the club following big money move from Southampton.

The most expensive teenager in the world arrived at Old Trafford with the task of replacing one of the finest left backs Manchester had seen, Patrice Evra. At just 18 (now 20) – it was never going to be an easy task for the youngster to undertake.

He made 16 appearances in the league for United, which was hugely disappointing given the hype surrounding the lad. However, this shortage of appearances can be blamed on nothing but injuries, something Shaw has been hugely cursed with this season.

It is a real shame that Shaw has struggled off the pitch with injuries, however on the pitch, Shaw has shown that he does posses the ability he needs to become one of the best. His performance against Chelsea stood out as his best show so far in a United shirt.

Shaw has impressed so far on United’s tour of the United States. The 20-year-old looks much fitter than he did at the same time last year, and looks to have benefited massively from the rest he was given by not participating at the European Under-21 Championship with England.

United manager Louis van Gaal, who was critical of Shaw last season for being unfit, had this to say on the defender this time around:

“Luke Shaw is a big talent. He’s very young so it’s not so easy for him to come from Southampton to as big a club as Manchester United.”

“I think that it shall be the season of Luke Shaw, that I believe. I believe in him and he has to feel that and I hope he shall show it. But he’s 20 years old. How many players of that age are playing in the Premier League?”

Shaw is expected to maintain his place as United’s first choice left back this season, a position he shared with Daley Blind last term whenever the youngster was injured. Blind, who has played in the centre of defence so far in the pre-season tour of the US, is not fussed where the manager deploys him.

“I already said many times I play where the manager needs me.” said Blind.

“Now he gives me the chance in this position and I try to do my best.”

“I have played there before, so I know what is asked of me.”

[Quotes via the Guardian]

Overall, injuries halted his immediate progress at United in his debut season, but at such a young age it is not surprising. Luke Shaw’s development may take time, but it’ll certainly be worth the wait.