It is no secret that Erik ten Hag is a Luke Shaw fan.
“Luke Shaw is the best left-back in the world,” said the Manchester United manager, speaking to Dutch news outlet Vi.NL in May. “This guy is so good.
“But he has suffered a horrible injury at the start of his career and because of this he will never be able to play 60 games per season.”
In Ten Hag’s first season in charge at Old Trafford, Shaw racked up 47 appearances, playing an instrumental role in the club securing a top four finish and bagging their first trophy in six years. He has never played more games for United in a single season.
The 2022/23 campaign saw him cement his place in one of United’s most dependable defences in recent years, as well as develop one of the most threatening left-sided partnerships in the Premier League alongside Marcus Rashford.
By comparison, Shaw played just 15 times for United last season. His campaign reached its conclusion during the 2-1 win over Luton Town on February 18 and he has not played for the club since.
The muscle injury he encountered at Kenilworth Road looked as though it would deny him a role in the England squad at the European Championship. However, former England boss Gareth Southgate took a gamble on the defender and included him in his plans, even though he was not considered fit enough to start until the final.
Shaw came through the 2-1 defeat to Spain unscathed, meaning he returned to Carrington with the ambition of forcing his way back into Ten Hag’s starting line-up for the opening Premier League game of the season against Fulham.
However, 73 hours before kick-off, United confirmed Shaw had suffered a calf injury in training and would miss the start of the campaign. The club added that it was their hope he would be available again after the first international break of the season.
United, of course, are now just four days away from resuming their campaign and will travel to Southampton on Saturday for the lunchtime kick-off. Ten Hag will host his pre-match press conference on Thursday and a question about Shaw’s availability is guaranteed.
Recently admitting United do not want to “force” Shaw’s return, Ten Hag is going to have to be very careful with how he handles the defender’s comeback amid the left-back’s claim that multiple people, including himself, were at fault for his injury woes last term.
The last thing United want to do is recover Shaw too quickly and then lose him again for an extended period of time. Should that happen, the club will be left batting away questions about why they did not sign another left-back in the summer.
Shaw is one of the best left-backs in the Premier League when he is fit. The challenge for United is to manage him carefully and sensibly.
