[Floyd]

Luke Shaw is very good technically. Has a great first touch, good pass and vision on him.

I'm a Shaw fanboi but even I can't agree with that, his passes are often hit and miss. He does present a good cutback every now and then though.

I can't really remember his first touch. It's almost 18 months since we last saw the real Luke Shaw, it's crazy.

 

[Giant Midget]

Those guys on the Beyond the Pitch podcast keep repeatedly alluding to the fact that Shaw is mentally weak.

Makes me wonder about him. I'm not sure if he has it in himself to be a top quality performer week in and week out. The lack of fitness., as a 21 year old in one of the most physically demanding positions is embarrassing.

However, he's still young and we all know he's very, very talented. The mental side of the time is something that can be developed. Let's hope Jose is able coax it out of him.

 

[Giant Midget]

I'm a Shaw fanboi but even I can't agree with that, his passes are often hit and miss. He does present a good cutback every now and then though.

I can't really remember his first touch. It's almost 18 months since we last saw the real Luke Shaw, it's crazy.

I cant remember who it was, but one of the players in an interview stated that Shaw is actually quite good technically. We just haven't seen him in a consistent run in the team since he joined. It's hard to remember what he's good at and bad at because he just looks so rusty everytime he plays.

 

[Suedesi]

Those guys on the Beyond the Pitch podcast keep repeatedly alluding to the fact that Shaw is mentally weak.

Makes me wonder about him. I'm not sure if he has it in himself to be a top quality performer week in and week out. The lack of fitness., as a 21 year old in one of the most physically demanding positions is embarrassing.

However, he's still young and we all know he's very, very talented. The mental side of the time is something that can be developed. Let's hope Jose is able coax it out of him.

They said he's got depression. If it's true, I feel bad for the lad.

 

[Pexbo]

Absolutely gutted for the lad really. When you saw that horror break happen and saw the angle his leg is at, as a United fan your worse fear is that you won't get to see the best of that lightning quick rampaging left back again. He was probably our best player up to that point in the season. Here we are 18 months later and yet to really see him play again.

 

[Lawman]

They said he's got depression. If it's true, I feel bad for the lad.

There is certainly something amiss with him and this would explain his situation (not getting a game when we a struggling and pulling out on the way to a game or in the morning of a game after training ok) and consequently his performances.
He needs our support the lads a cracking player who when back firing will be our and England's left back for the next decade.
If it shows to be true much like the Payet transfer the media and fans never know all the facts concerning what is going on behind closed doors.
I have seen a million situations when players or managers are getting battered by fans when in reality there is a private matter or problem in the background that nobody outside the club is aware off.

 

[LonelyFire]

A lot of rumours do the rounds regarding Shaw and I do worry that he's in a difficult position mentally after the injury - he looks completely unsure of himself. What I don't like is the rumours of his living arrangements and the lifestyle they lead. Of course none of us know what the truth is.

However, rather than question the manager, perhaps we should recognise the player has got problems and the manager likely feels the best way through it is to do that without the pressure of playing for Utd. He looks anxious when we've seen him and I think that needs sorted before we can start to see the player we know he can be.

It's a real shame.

 

[cvonm]

Would it not just be good to put him on a straight diet, loan him out for the rest of the season to a smaller team and then let him build some condition and confidence. I mean the spiral is pointing straight down at the moment and all he could ask for would be to feel good again, both on pitch and of it. I mean there should be a lot of championship sides who would love to get him on loan. To never play football can't never be the best way forward.

 

[Floyd]

Is he not even playing for the reserves? That can't be good, the kid needs to play football.

 

[balaks]

Would it not just be good to put him on a straight diet, loan him out for the rest of the season to a smaller team and then let him build some condition and confidence. I mean the spiral is pointing straight down at the moment and all he could ask for would be to feel good again, both on pitch and of it. I mean there should be a lot of championship sides who would love to get him on loan. To never play football can't never be the best way forward.

Right now there is very little evidence he would be capable of playing for any team. He aint playing for a reason.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

A lot of rumours do the rounds regarding Shaw and I do worry that he's in a difficult position mentally after the injury - he looks completely unsure of himself. What I don't like is the rumours of his living arrangements and the lifestyle they lead. Of course none of us know what the truth is.

However, rather than question the manager, perhaps we should recognise the player has got problems and the manager likely feels the best way through it is to do that without the pressure of playing for Utd. He looks anxious when we've seen him and I think that needs sorted before we can start to see the player we know he can be.

It's a real shame.

What rumours are these then?

 

[Catt]

They said he's got depression. If it's true, I feel bad for the lad.

That's sad if it's true. He's just not playing so something isn't quite right whatever the issue is.

 

[Smores]

I do wonder whether it is all complications with the injury or whether he's not mentally up to having to fight for his position after such a lengthy comeback.

Not easy for a young lad if he thinks he might not be up to it anymore.

 

[LonelyFire]

What rumours are these then?

Rumour, and i stress rumour, is he lives with his mates who moved up with him from Southampton. Like any group of lads that age you know what comes next when disposable income is pretty high!

We wont know if its true which means everything is taken with a very large pinch of salt.

 

[Nuts]

Starting to think the lad should have gone out on loan in January. Needs football if he's short of confidence.

 

[Giant Midget]

They said he's got depression. If it's true, I feel bad for the lad.

I didn't mention that because that was just the opi

Rumour, and i stress rumour, is he lives with his mates who moved up with him from Southampton. Like any group of lads that age you know what comes next when disposable income is pretty high!

We wont know if its true which means everything is taken with a very large pinch of salt.

So basically a Vincent Chase (Entourage) type scenario. Fair play to him, that's the dream.

 

[m1y2]

I am not an expert on this matter but Valencia had a leg break too and he hasn't lost much pace.. then I'd fear more about ACL, bones will grow together, ligaments in knee is a bigger problem imo, he also looked well after few games in preseason in terms of pace, only lately he looked little slower but that can be understandable when he plays once in a month or two

 

[Randall Flagg]

They said he's got depression. If it's true, I feel bad for the lad.

Absolutely

It would also be a huge opportunity for the club to turn that into something extremely positive, if he decided to reveal that he does suffer from it and has full support of the club etc..


And maybe people with depression wont be seen as mentally weak

 

[BAMSOLA]

That video confirms my opinion, that he is too limited in his basic skills to be at a top club. Real Madrid or Barca wouldn't take him if we offered him on a free transfer.

Well then I'm not quite sure what you're watching. If he was Spanish I'm pretty sure both clubs would take him and nurture him to become the top player he should eventually become under the right guidance. Your view of him is just plain wrong I'm afraid.

 

[dichinero]

I am not an expert on this matter but Valencia had a leg break too and he hasn't lost much pace.. then I'd fear more about ACL, bones will grow together, ligaments in knee is a bigger problem imo, he also looked well after few games in preseason in terms of pace, only lately he looked little slower but that can be understandable when he plays once in a month or two

Sometimes we underestimate the aftermath effects of a serious leg break. After the initial healing, it's like learning to walk again on new leg. What's worse is that the imbalance of both legs takes its toll on the whole body's skeletal and muscular structure, it's not unlikely to hear new calf, back injuries etc. Couple that with the demands of the PL. Add the mental effects that the injuries cause which is not easily dealt regardless of how "mentally" strong you are.

I'd say that he is in realistic time frame. He just needs patience. Football results and patience don't mix anymore sadly.

 

[MoneyMay]

Heard from that Beyond the Pitch podcast with that Phil De Brun guy and Danny Higgenbottom that there's rumours Luke Shaw suffers from depression and his focus on the things you need to be focussing on as a young player isnt at the level of player with his age and potential. Maybe the reason he isnt playing every week is for bigger reasons that physical fitness.

In that podcast, Phil De Brun says that he has to "choose his words carefully", but then goes onto say:

"Based on no information whatsoever, just a guess, I think Luke Shaw might struggle with depression a bit."

Yeah, I'm not really sure, but, um, I think Shaw struggles with depression a bit, um, yeah, don't attack me.

I am not a sheep,following the general fans opinions. I look with my own eyes.
If he is so good then why didn't he even make the bench against Leicester. ??

Because football isn't black and white.

Essentially, those who have doubts keep ignoring the facts:

1) Luke Shaw suffered a double leg fracture at the beginning of last season. Prior to that horrific injury - and yes it's a small sample size but it's all we have - he produced some excellent form. The main criticism most of us had was regarding his attacking; not defending. There was the game against Swansea away where he was lazy in tracking back, but that was an anomaly.

2) In Shaw's first three league games of the season, he produced an alright performance against Bournemouth, a good performance against Southampton, and a very good performance against Hull. However, it seems as though he was playing through adrenaline as he's failed to produce anything worthwhile since. Physically and mentally, he's still not 100%. He got ripped apart by two very average players in Navas and Lens. That says enough but it''s normal.

3) Players recover at different rates. Valencia came back and was a beast in the second half of 10/11... and was POTY in 11/12. Conversely, it took Ramsey a while before he looked like a competent footballer. Arsenal boards were full of the same "hate" - easily worse - and revisionism we are witnessing here. In the second half of 12/13, he started to perform well. He then went onto have an amazing 13/14 season. And quite recently, he had an amazing EURO 2016 tournament and was arguably the best player in the whole thing.

4) This one isn't important, but I still see it here... with some clutching at straws. Van Gaal's honest criticism of Shaw's fitness levels was not an attack on the player himself. It was an honest observation.

Luke Shaw praised by Louis van Gaal after playing second half for Manchester United against Inter Milan

'Normally we would play Reece James but he was injured. So I asked Luke if he would play.

'He did a very hard training session this morning but he said he would play and he still did very well.'

Luke Shaw praised by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal

Van Gaal believes a summer of rest will benefit the defender, and said: "I have read I'm the winner of the debate, but that's not true because the winner is Luke Shaw.

"He is the winner because we have to develop great talents. Luke Shaw is a great talent.

"The most important thing is that Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate and the medical department of Manchester United and the manager of Manchester United are agreed and that we have to protect him and that he can develop that talent.

"Then maybe we can all benefit from that."

Louis van Gaal defends Manchester United’s Luke Shaw on fitness claims

Louis van Gaal has challenged Roy Hodgson’s assessment that Luke Shaw has questionable fitness. The Manchester United manager described the left-back as “an example to the dressing room” owing to his determination to follow the club’s fitness regime.

Van Gaal had described the 19-year-old as unfit during United’s tour of the United States yet after Hodgson, the England manager, agreed he moved to clarify his position.

“About Shaw I want to say something,” said Van Gaal. “I have read nasty articles about him, also in the US I have said to him: ‘You came in here not fit’, and I changed the programme for him. He did everything he has to do to be fit, and now he is an example in the dressing room and is training fantastically. So when you want to write something you can ask me if he is doing his work or not.”

Anyway, everything that's happened/happening with Shaw is normal. The only thing I disagree with is Mourinho's criticism post-Watford match. No need for it, but other than that... I'm not concerned one bit. I'd rather he didn't start until he regains his confidence and physical levels. Doesn't necessarily have to be at peak level, but it has to be superior to what we've obviously seen so far. Will be amazing to see what Mourinho does with Shaw, and I'm more than certain that he's going to reproduce what we know he's capable of.

 

[The Wanderer]

In that podcast, Phil De Brun says that he has to "choose his words carefully", but then goes onto say:


Yeah, I'm not really sure, but, um, I think Shaw struggles with depression a bit, um, yeah, don't attack me.

Because football isn't black and white.

Essentially, those who have doubts keep ignoring the facts:

1) Luke Shaw suffered a double leg fracture at the beginning of last season. Prior to that horrific injury - and yes it's a small sample size but it's all we have - he produced some excellent form. The main criticism most of us had was regarding his attacking; not defending. There was the game against Swansea away where he was lazy in tracking back, but that was an anomaly.

2) In Shaw's first three league games of the season, he produced an alright performance against Bournemouth, a good performance against Southampton, and a very good performance against Hull. However, it seems as though he was playing through adrenaline as he's failed to produce anything worthwhile since. Physically and mentally, he's still not 100%. He got ripped apart by two very average players in Navas and Lens. That says enough but it''s normal.

3) Players recover at different rates. Valencia came back and was a beast in the second half of 10/11... and was POTY in 11/12. Conversely, it took Ramsey a while before he looked like a competent footballer. Arsenal boards were full of the same "hate" - easily worse - and revisionism we are witnessing here. In the second half of 12/13, he started to perform well. He then went onto have an amazing 13/14 season. And quite recently, he had an amazing EURO 2016 tournament and was arguably the best player in the whole thing.

4) This one isn't important, but I still see it here... with some clutching at straws. Van Gaal's honest criticism of Shaw's fitness levels was not an attack on the player himself. It was an honest observation.

Luke Shaw praised by Louis van Gaal after playing second half for Manchester United against Inter Milan

Luke Shaw praised by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal


Louis van Gaal defends Manchester United’s Luke Shaw on fitness claims


Anyway, everything that's happened/happening with Shaw is normal. The only thing I disagree with is Mourinho's criticism post-Watford match. No need for it, but other than that... I'm not concerned one bit. I'd rather he didn't start until he regains his confidence and physical levels. Doesn't necessarily have to be at peak level, but it has to be superior to what we've obviously seen so far. Will be amazing to see what Mourinho does with Shaw, and I'm more than certain that he's going to reproduce what we know he's capable of.

You have not made any mention of his lack of general ball control, specifically using his right foot.
If you watch any of his you tube videos (even when at Southampton) you can clearly see, that he is so one footed, at times it makes him look like an amateur footballer.

 

[RedMachine03]

What's up with him? Injured?

 

[Damien]

What's up with him? Injured?

No. He needs more games to get fitness and match sharpness really. Mourinho won't risk him in league games and for some reason doesn't give players time in the U23s (except for Bailly), so we'll probably only see him in the FA Cup.

 

[Sylar]

I hope he looks at Martial and Mkhi, gets his head down and just keeps working until he gets his chance. The left side could use him especially when the opposition puts a pacy player there. He imo would be better suited than Darmian, Blind and Rojo.

 

[Sepukku]

What's up with him? Injured?

No, he's just shite.

 

[Jaybomb]

Blind is a much better LB.

 

[Ish]

No, he's just shite.

No white text?

 

[Sammyjunn]

Blind isnt world class, but still better than Shaw, Darmian. Hope Mou keeps him there.

 

[Terminator]

Shaw has world class potential. Cant believe some posters are questioning his technical ability, yes its not perfect but his technical ability is actually very good for a left back.

He is in a very tough spot now mentally, once he gets his shit back together and his confidence returns he will be much better. Any doubts about his ability will disappear.

 

[lawliet354]

What rumours are these then?

Don't know about the credibility, but the other day I found this on reddit when a user is talking about Clyne when he is working at Southampton

Spoiler: Clyne

Spoiler: Shaw

 

[Pexbo]

Don't know about the credibility, but the other day I found this on reddit when a user is talking about Clyne when he is working at Southampton

Spoiler: Clyne

Spoiler: Shaw

An 18 year old lad with a bit of money in his pocket used to go out on the pull? Can someone explain to me why we risked so much money on such a questionable individual?

 

[GloryHunter07]

Don't know about the credibility, but the other day I found this on reddit when a user is talking about Clyne when he is working at Southampton

Spoiler: Clyne

Spoiler: Shaw

That reeks of Scouser.

 

[Cassidy]

An 18 year old lad with a bit of money in his pocket used to go out on the pull? Can someone explain to me why we risked so much money on such a questionable individual?

My thoughts exactly

 

[lawliet354]

That reeks of Scouser.

An 18 year old lad with a bit of money in his pocket used to go out on the pull? Can someone explain to me why we risked so much money on such a questionable individual?

That's why I said I don't know about the credibility

I just hope that Shaw can turn it around though, the first time I saw him play at Soton, he was excellent defensively, going forward he was just okay, if he doesn't improve in next 2-3 years then I think we can say that he simply does not take his chances

 

[Sammyjunn]

Shaw has world class potential. Cant believe some posters are questioning his technical ability, yes its not perfect but his technical ability is actually very good for a left back.

He is in a very tough spot now mentally, once he gets his shit back together and his confidence returns he will be much better. Any doubts about his ability will disappear.

What do you think is good about his technical ability. He has a decent first touch and composure but in terms of crossing, passing, creative passing (assists, key passes in his career) and dribbling, he's bang average.

 

[GloryHunter07]

That's why I said I don't know about the credibility

Thanks - i can read.

 

[top1whoisman]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[AltiUn]

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Said the same about Martial, didn't he? Working hard in training etc.

 

[Boycott]

I'm not worried about him. Great talent but when you're off the back of a leg break it will take time to mentally get over it. When he's ready he'll add another dimension to the team in attack - defensively I thought he was already well drilled prior to the injury.