Luke Shaw has endured a torrid time as of recent at Old Trafford. He has returned from injury but is yet to gain Jose Mourinho’s trust as he looks to fight his way back into the Manchester United starting 11.
The left-back made his first start for United in over 200 days on Tuesday night during United’s 2-1 win over CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, and even managed to complete the full 90 minutes. This was a potential lifeline for his career Old Trafford given to him by Mourinho, however will Shaw ever return to being United’s first choice left-back?
Positive Start at Old Trafford
Shaw joined United in the summer of 2014, joining from Southampton for a fee of £27m – making him the world’s most expensive teenager at the time. He made 16 Premier League appearances in his debut season with United, and was even included on the 40-man shortlist for the Golden Boy award – awarded to the best European footballer under the age of 21.
In the following season, Shaw built upon his encouraging start to life at Old Trafford by starting all of United’s first five league games under Louis Van Gaal, whilst also gaining international recognition, becoming a regular member of the England set-up.
Training hard, looking forward to tomorrow! #MUFC #UCL pic.twitter.com/gUx6i4LGqk
— Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) 4 December 2017
However, during United’s opening Champions League group game against PSV Eindhoven in September 2015, Shaw suffered a double leg fracture after colliding with Hector Moreno.
He was ruled out of action for six months and didn’t return to training with United until April the following year.
Torrid Return From Injury
Once he returned to training, United had a new manager in Jose Mourinho and had renewed competition in the left-back spot. Matters only got worse for Shaw at the start of the 2016-17 Premier League season, after Mourinho publically criticized him regarding his physical fitness and his footballing mentality, claiming he had to get back in shape and mature if he wanted return to the first-team squad.
He was able to make 11 league appearances throughout the season, however couldn’t secure his place as a starter, and instead had to watch Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind share the left-back role that season.
Scholes: "A couple of years ago I thought Man United were signing the best left-back in the world"@rioferdy5: "Mourinho was just prodding to see what reaction he'd get"
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) 5 December 2017
Gerrard: "Mourinho goes about things it in a certain way"
The boys have their say on Luke Shaw... pic.twitter.com/KjSz3Rq3me
It looked as though Shaw’s time at Old Trafford was all but over, with Mourinho reportedly exploring other options and seemingly offering no way back into the first-team for the 22-year-old.
Transfer speculation surrounding the youngster didn’t help matters, with reports liking him with a move away from United to try and revive his career, however there are new signs for United fans to be excited about a possible return to action for Shaw.
Positive Return To Starting Line-Up
Just as his career at Old Trafford looked to be all but over, a potential way back for Shaw presented itself midweek. He started and completed the full 90 minutes of Manchester United’s Champions League win over CSKA Moscow, and Mourinho admitted after the game he was very impressed with his performance. He praised Shaw’s attacking intent and the intensity he played with during the game, and admitted he is going to get more opportunities in the near future after a positive performance.
Luke Shaw vs. CSKA Moscow. [@11v11Sam]
— Breaking The Lines (@BTLvid) 6 December 2017
In a rare start, Shaw made the most out of his 90 minutes, proving he may still be the long-term answer at left back. pic.twitter.com/G7aZsYikQS
Shaw still faces stiff competition with fellow left-back Ashley Young hitting form in recent weeks, however it looks as though Mourinho hasn’t given up on Shaw just yet, and with a congested fixture list over the Christmas period, Mourinho will likely be looking to rotate his side in the coming weeks.
Not only will Shaw be looking to secure his place as United’s starting left-back, he will also be looking to impress England manager Gareth Southgate, who will begin scouting for his 2018 World Cup squad after the draw was announced last week.
Should Shaw get a run in United’s first-team and continue to impress, it’s not too late for the youngster to impress the England selectors, and may well be able to book himself a place at the World Cup next year.