Manchester United and England defender Luke Shaw is the best option at left-back for club and country when in form, feels club legend Ryan Giggs.
Manchester United legend and current Wales manager Ryan Giggs believes that Red Devils’ left-back Luke Shaw is the best option for the club and the English national team, when he is on top of his game.
The 23-year-old Shaw has had a difficult time at Old Trafford, since his transfer from Southampton back in 2014. Injuries and fitness issues have held back the talented youngster from fulfilling the amazing potential that he had showcased early in his career.
Since Jose Mourinho took over the reins at Manchester United, the England international has struggled to get a regular run in the starting lineup and has been at the receiving end of some harsh words from the outspoken Portuguese tactician.
The left-back managed to make just eight Premier League starts for Manchester United in the 2017-18 season, which cost him a place in England’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
As a result, there were a lot of rumours surrounding his future at the club this summer, with a move away from Manchester United looking a strong possibility. However, Shaw decided to stay put at the club and fight for a starting berth.
With last season’s first-choice Ashley Young returning late from an extended vacation after the World Cup, the 23-year-old started Manchester United’s season opener against Leicester City last weekend. And he made the most of the opportunity, scoring his first career goal to fire the Mancunians to a 2-1 win over the Foxes.
Manager Mourinho hailed Shaw’s display on the day, calling it a “very complete performance,” and now Manchester United legend, Giggs has jumped to the 23-year-old’s praise as well.
“I’ve said a lot of times that Luke Shaw has got the quality and he’s also got great strength, but he’s not really had a real run since the horrific leg break,” 13-time Premier League winner Giggs wrote in his Super 6 Class of ’92 Diary for Sky Sports.
“He’s had a great pre-season, came back looking fit and a Luke Shaw at the top of his game is the best left-back Manchester United and England have got.”
“He was unfortunate Ashley Young was so consistent last season, but that’s got to serve as a reminder that he’s got to keep hold of that place now. I’m just happy to see him back fit and scoring goals because I’m a big fan of Luke and he’s a great lad as well, so I just hope he has a great season,” he added.
After having begun the new season in such fine fashion, Shaw will be hoping to build on it and establish himself as the first-choice left-back at Manchester United.
Given that he is in the final year of his contract, the defender will be playing to secure his long-term future at the club. And if he carries on in the way he did against Leicester, there will be little reasons for worry for both him and Manchester United.
