Luke Shaw’s Emotional Struggles
CHICAGO — Manchester United’s left-back Luke Shaw has shared the emotional struggles he faced throughout a challenging season marked by injury setbacks, acknowledging that he felt a sense of disappointment in himself as he watched his teammates from the sidelines. A mere 12 appearances across all competitions saw United languishing at 15th place in the Premier League, underscoring a tumultuous period for the club.
Injury Setbacks and Criticism
Shaw faced significant criticism from fans following his return from a lengthy spell out due to injuries, which saw him start in the Euro 2024 final against Spain. However, additional injuries, including a calf issue, delayed his return to full strength, preventing him from participating in any matches for United until nearly nine months post the final.
Feelings of Guilt and Responsibility
Reflecting on his challenges, Shaw expressed feelings of guilt and responsibility for not being fully available to support his teammates.
“I felt that I was letting the club down during my injuries,”
he stated.
“It was a mental battle because, although I might not have been at fault, my mindset made it hard for me to cope. I just kept blaming myself.”
He also recognized a deep sense of obligation to former coach Erik ten Hag, admitting that he felt he let him down as well. Shaw’s last match under Ten Hag took place in February 2024 against Luton, and he found himself missing from the squad as the new season commenced, coinciding with Ten Hag’s departure due to a string of unsatisfactory outcomes.
A New Chapter with Ruben Amorim
As a new chapter begins at the club with Ruben Amorim at the helm, Shaw has been heartened by the new manager’s recognition of his talent, describing Amorim’s praise as unexpected yet honorific.
“To hear that from the manager is really nice and quite flattering, especially knowing he appreciates what I’ve been through,”
Shaw remarked.
Optimism for the Future
Despite the emotional toll of previous setbacks, he is optimistic regarding his physical state now, having had a stronger finish to last season with five starting appearances, including a match in which United faced Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final. Shaw candidly admitted that he had reached a personal low during his long absence, but the current environment within the team has reinvigorated his spirits.
“I can’t express how happy I am now compared to last season. I feel great and genuinely optimistic about my ambitions moving forward,”
Shaw proclaimed as he joins the squad for their summer tour in America, eager to leave past struggles behind and contribute significantly to United’s future aspirations.
This renewed sense of purpose is paving the way for a hopeful comeback as Shaw aims to fulfill his potential in the upcoming season.
