Sidney Sladen
Manchester United Transfer News
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has reportedly asked Mauricio Pochettino to help get out of his horror spell at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw is growing increasingly frustrated about his lack of game time as he continues to fight for his place with Blind, Rojo, and Darmian all ahead of him in the pecking order. Even Ashley Young has featured ahead of Shaw and this has led to the Englishman to consider his future at Manchester United with Jose Mourinho in charge.
Shaw fears he has no choice but to leave Manchester United in the summer after Jose Mourinho’s amazing verbal attack at the weekend.
Jose is known for his hard way of handling his players and he did the same this season with Mkhitaryan and Martial earlier in the season. Similar treatment was given to Juan Mata as well. However, the three players managed to respond to it by proving themselves to their manager. But Luke Shaw seems to be keen on moving on, after not being given a chance to perform on the big stage.
Mourinho previously insisted that Shaw would get his chance if he continued to work hard and prove himself. But things don’t seem to be going Shaw’s way as Mourinho still prefers Blind, Rojo, and Darmian over Luke Shaw.
Shaw was lambasted by Mourinho after United’s draw with West Brom, having been overlooked for the matchday squad which included Reserves midfielder, Matthew Willock.
When asked what Shaw had to do to return to the squad, Mourinho replied:
“Who? Luke Shaw? It’s difficult for him to be on the bench because I cannot compare him with Ashley Young, with Darmian, with Blind. I cannot compare the way he trains, the way he commits, the focus, the ambition. I cannot compare. He is a long way behind.”.
Ironically, Shaw was among a bunch of players, including Paul Pogba and Wayne Rooney, who trained on the pitch at Old Trafford on Saturday after the goalless draw with WBA. Shaw was the last one to come off, while at the same time Mourinho was publicly slamming him in the press conference room.
Mourinho said last month Shaw could develop into the best left-back in the world in two years’ time.
Jose said: “In practical terms, we have lots of left-backs. It doesn’t look like it but the reality is that Blind, Shaw, Rojo, Darmian are all playing left-back and can play there. They are different players.”
“I think the one that should be in the couple of years the best of all – because potentially he should have all the conditions to be the best of all – is Luke Shaw. By age, by physicality, by intensity, aggressive going forward, he should be the best. But to be the best you need to work hard. It’s what he’s trying to do.”
Luke Shaw last played against Bournemouth where United drew the game, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic later getting suspended for his antics against Tyron Mings. At half-time, Shaw was seen speaking to Mings and this seems to have rebuked Jose Mourinho. Mings had earlier stamped on Ibrahimovic’s head and was retrospectively banned for five games by the Football Association.
It appears as though things are getting too far beyond redemption and it would take some extreme professionalism from Luke Shaw to find his feet back at Old Trafford. If not, then he might have to pray that his former boss Pochettino comes to the rescue.
However, it wouldn’t be a man thing to do! Chin up Luke!
