By Dave Marshall
Chelsea and Manchester United were major contenders for the signing of English left back, Luke Shaw, back in 2014. The then Southampton man had impressed for the Saints in the 2013/14 season and was admired by two of the biggest clubs in the country.
Jose Mourinho, his current manager, had identified him as the long term replacement for Ashley Cole, and with him being a boyhood Chelsea fan, it was expected he would sign for the club. However, Manchester United convinced him to sign and the rest is history.
He played not too well in his first season under Louis Van Gaal, but by the beginning of the next season, everything went downhill for the player.
A double leg break against PSV at the start of the season ensured that he missed the entirety of last season, and this season has seen him struggle to replicate the performances that convinced the 20-time league winners to shell out in excess of £20m for his signature three years ago. He has failed to kick on this season – consistently drawing criticism from his manager about his lack of willingness to contribute to the team by playing through injury concerns and a lack of enough grit that Manchester United players should be identified with.
Another injury towards the end of the season meant he didn’t get to impress and stake a claim for himself going into next season, and speculations are rife that the club could count their losses and sell him to another club.
Shaw won’t want to leave as he will not want to be remembered for his failures at a big club, but a move is needed to revive a career that is threatening to go down the drain. The likes of Everton and Tottenham have been linked with a move for the player. Injuries, loss of confidence and pressure have limited him to mediocre performances at United, offering no glimpses of the player who attacked and defended with aplomb while at St. Mary’s.
There are decisions to be made, and this summer is one big one for him.
