Surajit Das
Manchester United star Luke Shaw is already seeing big improvement under Erik ten Hag
While speaking in an interview as quoted by Manchester Evening News, Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw lauded new manager Erik ten Hag for making improvements and bringing positives to the side.
Even though United have a lot of work to do after last season’s disastrous Premier League campaign is forgotten, Erik ten Hag has had a strong start to life at the club.
After a slow start to the transfer window for United, the atmosphere among fans was gloomy when preseason got underway. After two successive wins and a few signings, the mood has significantly improved.
Four goals in successive games have ensured a winning start for Ten Hag and according to Luke Shaw, who started both pre-season matches, the Dutchman has already made a ‘big improvement’ in the United side.
“It’s not where the club should be and we know the levels have had to take a massive step in terms of higher intensity and what we’re supposed to be doing and I think from the start of the last two weeks, especially in training, it’s definitely a big improvement.
Luke Shaw was one of Manchester United’s best players in the 2020–21 season, but like most of his teammates, he experienced a decline in performance levels due to the disaster of last season. Shaw is determined to regain the form and has stated that the Dutch manager’s drills have been helping him.
“And even in the games, I think you could see things that probably you haven’t seen before, so I think there are things to look forward to. I think the manager knows what the team needs and he has his own style and how he wants to manage and all the players have really taken it on board and they’re really enjoying it.”
Jumping to conclusions during the preseason is always advised against, but Ten Hag has given the team reason for hope moving into the next season.
Although the absence of Champions League football has been felt, a competitive team more than makes up for it. United played in the Europa League for the second half of the 2020–21 season, but those six months were perhaps the most promising since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.
Under Ten Hag, United are also beginning to take shape, with Lisandro Martinez already our third addition after Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia. The Dutchman is also interested in Frenkie de Jong of Barcelona.
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Ten Hag might be able to get his concept across to the team by the time United hosts Brighton at Old Trafford the following month. It remains to be seen how the team reacts to the challenge. But considering Shaw has welcomed the Dutchman’s reign with optimism, there are some positives to look forward to.
