Full Name: Luke Paul Hoare Shaw
Date of Birth: Jul 12, 1995
Nationality: England
Height: 178cm
Squad Number: 23
Position: Defender - Left-Back
Foot: Left
Player Agent: CAA Stellar
Contract expires: Jun 30, 2027
Luke Shaw | 2026/27 Performances
- Thread starter MyOnlySolskjaer
- Start date
Full Name: Luke Paul Hoare Shaw
Date of Birth: Jul 12, 1995
Nationality: England
Height: 178cm
Squad Number: 23
Position: Defender - Left-Back
Foot: Left
Player Agent: CAA Stellar
Contract expires: Jun 30, 2027
We badly need a LB. He is a net negative on the ball and most of the time outside of his defensive third. He's very experienced so won't make critical mistakes but his overall play leave so much to be desired.
There are legitimate concerns about him getting up and down the pitch these days, but to say he’s a net negative on the ball is outrageous.
It's exaggerated, but the concerns aren't just about him getting up and down the wing. Based on last season his actual passing and build-up out from the back has declined significantly compared to where he was a few years ago.
Back before his 'Shawberto' season I tended to be more of a fan of Shaw than most and defended him from a lot of the criticism. That was largely based on how good his build-up play was and how he helped us control things, even when he wasn't really impacting the attack much back then. So if it was just his lack of attacking threat I'd still appreciate those other things, but unfortunately last season he was quite average at them as well. Maybe this season he'll recover some of that (and obviously I'm hoping he does), but considering his age and injury woes over the years I think it's more likely that he'll continue on the same.
I wonder how people view his legacy. For me he has been a good addition to United. His longevity makes up for his injury crises. There was a time around 2020ish when I felt he was arguably the best LB in the world. The fact that in a decade no one has come anywhere close to benching him is proof that he has been a solid player (even though it's true the recruitment has been very poor). Find someone who can bench him before I would entertain any talk of selling him.
I notice that my take is more harsh than others but I honestly don't believe people are truly watching Shaw on and off the ball.
The majority of his touches on the ball takes him backwards or on his back foot. Therefore, if there is any semi competent pressing or positional tracking back from an opponent, he will pass it back or let the opposition get in front of him. What that means is that he barely passes through the lines, barely carries the ball past anyone and any good build up is broken down or reset through his inactions. Off the ball he gives him team mates very little support or easy first pass options. Against Rosenberg, I will caveat that he did make some decent overlaps for Dorgu but that's a rarity nowadays. Many times Heaven was trying to build up from the back or hold onto the ball to look for a better option other than a hoof and Shaw was 20 yards away or positioned in a way where an opposition could easily intercept i.e meaning he wasn't an option at all. When he does actually get the ball to feet and has time to pass it, he takes awkward positions where he's not really able to play quick 1-2s or offer a run off the ball. His passing technique is ridiculous inconsistent for a player of his supposed ability; too many outside of the boot flicks, toe pokes or bumbling balls.
This is not just based on 2 pre-season games, it's been apparent for years now at this point. Like I said before, because of his experience, he's doing the things to not make big mistakes and 'not lose' due to his defensive contributions but his overall game is quite shocking once you remove his reputation. I implore anyone to actually watch he does for the whole time he is on the pitch.
As you say he had an impressive but short peak, about the same period terrible then average to good for the rest. In all not really quite up to standard for a top team with ambitions.
If we'd made competent signings he'd have half the first team minutes.
He's only played half the minutes he should have anyway. Good player, but with his fitness issues he should have been shifted out years ago.
1 year left, hopefully there's no extension to trigger.