Why Luke Shaw should be given another chance at Manchester United

Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League
Manchester United v Newcastle United - Premier League

Luke Shaw was once considered to be the best young talent in the country, which facilitated his £30 million(then a world-record transfer fee for a teenager) move to Manchester United.

His performances were full of promise in the first season and he really broke into his own at the start of the second season, before that ill-fated game in the Champions League changed everything.

United subsequently struggled to cope without their first-choice left-back, and gave a series of bad performances which led to them finishing 5th in the league, in the 2015-16 season, just behind Manchester City, who occupied the 4th and last Champions League spot.

His performances under Jose Mourinho weren't up to the mark as he struggled with injury issues and somewhat harsh man-management tactics from the United manager.

Shaw started this season poorly and fans have noticed a lack of desire to prove his manager wrong but we feel that he should be given another chance at left-back/left-wing-back to improve his form, as he might be essential for United going forward in the season due to a number of reasons -

He's the only recognised left-back at Manchester United

Manchester United v RSC Anderlecht - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final: Second Leg
Manchester United v RSC Anderlecht - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final: Second Leg

While Ashley Young, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind have done a fairly good job at that position, the truth is that, in the absence of Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw is the only natural left-back at United, and the team will need his positional sense in the big games as the season progresses.

Ashley Young is the only one(of the three players used at left back this season) who can put in good crosses but he's never been an extremely consistent performer for United. If United are to fully utilise their aerial ability in the opposition box, they'll need a fullback who can put in good balls from the flanks.

It'll improve his confidence

Someone who has gone through things that Luke Shaw has gone through in the last 2 years, with all those injury issues, needs a confidence boost from the manager and the club.

Take Phil Jones, for example. Many thought that Jones would be the first to be offloaded last season when Mourinho took charge. However, he successfully broke into the team, instead, and is currently one of their most valuable players.

Luke Shaw needs exactly that, and while he is bound to put in one or two bad performances, if he is able to recover the form he showed 2 years ago, United will have solved one of their main problems this season, which could just give them the edge over the other teams in the title run in.

A perfect fit for the wingback position

Manchester United v Burton Albion - Carabao Cup Third Round
Manchester United v Burton Albion - Carabao Cup Third Round

With games against Chelsea and Tottenham fast approaching, Mourinho might need to go with 3 at the back to counter their formations, and Luke Shaw is a natural fit for that position with the strength and speed he possesses.

The only issues, right now, are his work rate and form, which will only improve if he's given a starting berth in at least 2 of the 3 matches before they welcome Spurs at Old Trafford.

This would double up the pressure on the left flank with Martial/Rashford also lining up as left-wingers and would improve the attacking play against tougher opponents.


There's no guarantee that Luke Shaw will find his form ever again, but his talent is undeniably still present, and United need to try and get the best out of him before deciding to offload him, and this will only happen if he gets to start games.

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Edited by Aakanksh Sanketh