Manchester United and England international left back Luke Shaw has had a very intriguing life whilst United. He was signed by Louis Van Gaal in 2014 from Southampton. During that time he was the leagues most promising, young and best left backs. At a young age of 19 Shaw was that times world's most expensive teenager as United had paid 30 million pounds to secure his services.
He had a great first season with United although being sidelined during the start for over a month, but due to his hard work he was named in the 40 man shortlist for Europe's Golden Boy award.
But soon after next season his United career took a steep drop due to his long injury break which by many people has crippled his United career. He is now in the fringes of the squad and not selected even though he is now match fit.
Where It All Went Wrong?
1. Injury
The main reason why he has been overlooked is because of his horrific injury scare which he suffered last season during the Champions League group stage match against PSV during which he suffered a double leg fracture and was sidelined for more then 6 months. To be precise the rest of the season. The injury was so fierce that there was a 9 minute stoppage time, he was put on oxygen and 9 doctors were on the pitch to treat him.
Soon after recovering he was back in action and played against Leicester in the Community Shield at the start of the current season. But soon after he was yet again injured for a month. And due to this chain of injuries the management some what don't want to risk him and limit him until it's not the perfect moment.
Why is he being overlooked?
1. Injury.
Due to his injury he is subject to lot of criticism from the media and few also felt pity on him and thought that the injury could be the end of a young lad. As Shaw is injury prone the manager doesn't want to risk him on the pitch until he is not sure. He is partly right that such a risk should not be taken, but for how long will Jose Mourinho play the waiting game with Shaw?
2. Form
Form has also been an issue in Shaw's case. It is obvious that if a player is injured for a long spell it's not always going to be that the first few matches he will play, he will play brilliantly. United are also in such a situation that every point is crucial for next seasons Champions League qualification. There is no room for mistakes. There is just one motto in the team. Play well or you will lose your place. We clearly are seeing this in the left wing position. The manager has insisted that he needs his best team, his best defense and he is happy with United's current back four as all of them are irreplaceable due to their great form.
3. Competition.
As mentioned in the above point that for is an important role for a player and if Shaw wants to play he will need to find his form back. If he doesn’t players like Blind, Rojo, Darmain who are also eligible to play on the left back position will get a chance. Competition is so fierce that it's each man for his own. Each player has to fight it out by improving their game in order to get a starting role. No one's place is secured there. If the current player doesn't play well others will get a chance. The current standing for the left back position are
1. Blind
2. Rojo
3. Darmain
4. Shaw
What can he do to retain his place?
1. Improve and train hard.
A simple example. Mkhitaryan was also dropped due to his erratic form but he trained very hard and showed true dedication and got a chance to impress. Shaw should follow his example in order to catch the bosses eye.
2. Play the Waiting game.
Shaw second option could test his patience. He will have to wait for a perfect opportunity for the manager to select him and give him a chance to play. Such a chance could be.
1. The FA Cup
2. A players dip in form
3. Injury to a player
4. Just a random chance.
Will he leave or be sold?
We can't say anything now. But if proper action is not taken and the player is not given a chance to play he will have no option but to leave or the club will have sell him. A young lad like Shaw has much to promise and should not be sold as is very talented. He can become the best left backs in the world.
He possesses such remarkable skill and talent which the club can take advantage of. Which being.
Being a left back Shaw has been gifted with remarkable pace and his great technicality. He can also be help as Valencia us during attacking situations by coming ahead joining the attack and can cross the ball.
Due to his impressive performances he has been compared to Gareth Bale a former Southampton player and youth graduate who is currently one of the best wingers in the game with Real Madrid. Many may not know that Bale was first a left back or a left wing back with very high attacking capacity. It was at Spurs that the manager made him a winger.
Shaw has similar talent like that of Bale but with less attacking capacity. If trained and nurtured well who knows he may too turn out to be a winger some day!
Shaw seems to have less time at United with many problems in his career like, form, injury, competition. But I'd he is trusted and given a chance he will shine. It will not happen overnight but will take time and effort and will require cooperation of both the player and the manager. His case has intensified more has he has been dropped from the squad to face Saint Etienne in the Europa League. Is it because of form or he is guaranteed to start in the FA Cup . It is still a mystery to be solved!
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