From great white hope to ‘not fit enough’ and regular shepherd’s hooks
Manchester United’s £32m capture of Luke Shaw has yet to show signs of success but the teenage defender has found backing from inside Old Trafford.
Shaw was forced to play with the reserves earlier in the season as United coach Louis van Gaal he was unfit after his World Cup 2014 exertions in Brazil. He then missed the first six games of the season due to a niggling injury.
Since his debut – a home win over West Ham in September – he has played 10 times, starting nine. Shaw has only finished a full 90 minutes this season and has played a total of 676 minutes. Just over the halfway point of the new season, the former Southampton defender has cost his new employers £47,337 (a shade over €60k) per minute on the pitch.
Denis Irwin, however, has sprung to Shaw’s defence. The United and Ireland legend played 12 years as left-back with the Premier League side. Now employed by the club as a pundit, and occasional presenter, on MUTV, Irwin believes the recent signing will come good.
He told United Review, ‘It took Luke a while to settle and realise what the club is all about, which is why pre-season is a good time to sign players.
‘Injuries held him back a bit but once he got in, he looked really strong and don’t forget he is only a boy. He has been very unfortunate with injuries, but he will be a fantastic player for us. I guarantee you that. I have no doubt at all that he will be our first-choice left-back for years to come.’
Irwin added, ‘You can find consistency when you get older – it is very hard for young players to find it because they are still growing. Luke Shaw will be a top player for United, make no mistake.’
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