Manchester United Defender Luke Shaw is not seeing much playing time these days, as he’s fallen way below Matteo Darmian, Ashely Young and Daley Blind on the depth chart. During his pre-match press briefing yesterday (watch the video here), United manager Jose Mourinho indicated that Shaw is “a long way behind” all three of those players.
Mourinho added that Shaw will indeed not be a part of his plans tomorrow night due to:
“The way he trains. The way he commits. The focus. The ambition. I cannot compare. He is a long way behind.”
These comments are in the same vein as what Mourinho said on February 15th, but more extreme. Back then Mourinho said this about why Shaw wasn’t playing, despite the fixture congestion and the need for fresh legs:
“He’s not playing because my team is playing well and I am happy with my back four, and I’m going to repeat Valencia, Bailly, Smalling, Blind.”
Shaw wasn’t even named to the bench this past weekend, despite the Red Devils suffering from an injury depleted, suspension ravaged roster. Clearly, these very strong comments from Mourinho indicate that the young Englishman, not long ago the richest teenager in football, is not part of the Portugese’s plans any time soon.
Shaw has suffered through an injury-plagued career at United, and in the big picture, you have now run out. Earlier this season, manager Jose Mourinho has publicly called out the young Englishman, and there has been reported contention between Shaw and his teammates.
On one hand, it’s easy to empathize with Luke Shaw given all that he’s been through in injury and fitness situations. Right now, many are looking at Mourinho as kind of the bad guy here. However, that’s not really fair. Shaw has had a long history of issues with conditioning, and having his commitment level called into question.
He came under fire from the previous boss, Louis van Gaal, for being devoted to getting totally fit too. All in all, it looks like this summer might be the time for him to move on from Old Trafford.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and Bold, contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication, CGTN America, WGN CLTV News and KOZN.
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