The
RESURGENCE of
LUKE SHAW by Julian Tabone
W
hen Luke Shaw was snapped up by Louis Van Gaal in 2014, it was a time of rebuilding, on the back of one of the most disappointing seasons under David Moyes. At the time, Van Gaal represented hope and Shaw - still a highly promising 18-year old – was regarded as a long-term solution and one for the future. A few months before signing for United – in March 2014 – Luke Shaw made his international debut and, as so often happens, when young English players play for England for the first time, his pedigree soared. He even went to the World Cup in Brazil and played the full game of England’s (meaningless) last group match. A few days later, he joined United from Southampton for £27M for what was then a world-record fee for a teenager. He made his debut on 27 Sep 2014 in a 2-1 win against West Ham – a match that saw Rooney sent off and a makeshift defence enduring high pressure to hold on to the win. It was a prelude of what was to come for United and for Luke Shaw as well. The team struggled to find its feet and fluidity but at least there was marked improvement on the previous season as Manchester United finished fourth in the league table. Shaw made 20 appearances in that first season of his and the promise was still there.
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VOL 49 - ISSUE 1 - SEPTEMBER 2021
Shaw’s second season was meant to consecrate him in the side. Indeed he started off very well. A constant threat bombarding down the wing, symbolizing
what a typical Manchester United full-back should be like. Fans were still happy and very much optimistic that we had finally found a player that would unlock many defenses with his surging overlap runs.
