WHAT DOES SEASON SIX HOLD FOR SHAW AT UNITED?
Five years have passed since Luke Shaw completed his transfer to Manchester United and, on the eve of the 2019/20 season, the improving left-back is evidently a pivotal player at Old Trafford.
It may have taken him longer than expected to achieve that standing, after suffering a career-threatening leg break that was followed by a challenging period out of the team, but he is finally there and looks set to be an important figure under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this coming campaign.
The boss is determined to build a young and hungry squad that will work hard, and that intent was signalled by his capture of 21-year-old forward Daniel James from Swansea City earlier this month.
Shaw has experienced how it feels to join United as a hot prospect from another British club – which was Southampton, in his case – and he will presumably be well-placed to help any new recruits to settle in this summer.
IMPROVE, IMPROVE, IMPROVE
Last season was a turbulent one for United, with a change in manager taking place at the midway point, yet it remained Shaw’s best campaign from his five as a Manchester United player so far.
Luke was proud to take home a couple of Player of the Year awards in May after winning the majority of votes from his team-mates and also the fans.
Those prizes meant a lot to him, and so they should.
But he admirably acknowledged in his acceptance speeches that it wasn’t an exceptional season and everybody is striving to improve.
His challenge now is clear: harness that momentum and build on it.
CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY
Shaw made 40 appearances across the 2018/19 season and all of them were as a starter: that tally is remarkably twice as many as his previous best of 20, which he registered in his debut campaign.
The legendary Denis Irwin averaged 44 appearances a season across his 12 years at Old Trafford and, while it is not healthy to compare eras, that level of consistency will be the aim for Shaw in 2019/20.
If fit and injury free, exceeding his personal best of 40 is wholly achievable – especially when you consider we will compete in the Premier League, Europa League, League Cup and Emirates FA Cup.
HARD WORK AND DEDICATION
Just like last summer, the left-back has been working hard ahead of the pre-season training camp by grafting on his own during the summer break – as followers of his social media accounts will know.
That attitude has served him well and he’s already spoken about his determination to hit the ground running during Tour 2019.
Solskjaer is absolutely determined to work hard on fitness and tactics ahead of the Premier League campaign beginning against Chelsea at Old Trafford in August.
So what does season six hold in store for Shaw? Hopefully progression, improvement and more success.
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