Bharath Rammr
Jose Mourinho is set to make his decision with regard to defender Luke Shaw, who has not featured for United since his EFL Cup appearance against West Ham towards the end of November, according to the reports from Metro Sports. Shaw is one of the several players not under the favour of Mourinho. It is certainly a huge surprise considering that the Portuguese was one of the managers interested in signing Shaw when he made the move from Southampton to Manchester United for £27m. The left back has struggled for fitness throughout his time at the club.
Even though he has been at United since 2014, Shaw has managed only 41 appearances in all competitions. His issues with fitness have continued even this season. The Portuguese manager appeared to question the commitment of the player. His comments are largely similar to those made by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp about striker Daniel Sturridge, who has also faced a similar run of issues with regard to injuries.
Shaw’s Stats so far at Old Trafford (via Metro)
2016/17 season
13 – appearances in all competitions
11 – starts
7 – league appearances
6 – starts
2015/16 season
8 – appearances in all competitions
8 – starts
5 – league appearances
5 – starts
2014/15 season
21 – appearances in all competitions
18 – starts
18 – league appearances
15 – starts
Now with the January transfer window at its peak, the lack of a return to the first team has started rumours about Shaw’s position at the club. He was sufficiently fit for the EFL Cup game against Hull City, but Mourinho decided to continue with Italian international Matteo Darmian. Shaw did not even make it to the bench for the game, and it appears that the Portuguese manager has made his decision on the 21-year-old. Shaw has a contract with United only until the summer of 2018 and there has been no discussion about a new deal.
United do have the option of extending the contract by an another year.
Mourinho has been criticised for coming to a conclusion about players too soon. Former Sky Sports pundit Richard Keys recently revealed that the Portuguese manager came close to selling Henrikh Mkhitaryan in January after having signed the Armenian International for £30 million only in the summer. Keys revealed that a number of players deemed unworthy by Mourinho at the start of his managerial reign at United are now playing a key role in the club’s success. Players like Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, and Michael Carrick featured very rarely early on, but they have been integral to recent success.
It would be the only positive aspect for Shaw at this moment. If the 21-year-old decides to leave the club, he will certainly find no shortage of offers. The only concern with regard to the England international, who has 6 caps for England since his debut in 2014, will be his fitness levels.
