Why Manchester United should tie Luke Shaw down to a new contract
According to the Sun, Luke Shaw is reluctant to sign a new long-term with Manchester United and wants to weigh his options before committing his future at Old Trafford.
The left-back has been in terrific form this season for both club and country, despite spending two bad seasons due to injuries and whatnot under Jose Mourinho.
The 23-year-old joined United from Southampton in 2014 for a fee of around £27 million. He has made a total of 47 appearances for the Red Devils across all competitions.
Shaw endured a severe injury during a Champions League game in 2015/16, succumbing to a fractured leg. After going through tough and extensive treatment which put him out of action for the entire 2017/18 season, the youngster has made an imperious comeback this season. He arguably has been the brightest spark in United’s otherwise lacklustre campaign so far.
Stats talk
Dipping into some stats of this campaign, the first thing to acknowledge is that the 23-year-old has played all four games thus far. He has averaged 1.8 tackles and 1.3 interceptions per game. The left-back has also managed an average of 3.5 clearances.
Besides discharging his defensive duties with composure, Shaw has been instrumental in United’s attacking build-up down the left flank. He often uses his pace to break into the other half of the pitch, linking the play with Alexis Sanchez. His accurate crosses from the left have caused all sorts of problems for the opposition defenders. He currently averages 1.3 key passes and 1.5 dribbles per game.
Undoubtedly, Luke Shaw has re-established himself as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League. Manchester United and Jose Mourinho should be desperate to hold on to the English international. Given that Ashley Young is on the other side of 30, United do not have many options for the left-back position.
Conclusion
At only 23, Shaw’s best years lie ahead of him and he might prove to be an ideal long-term servant for the Red Devils, provided he manages to stay fit. On the evidence of his early season form, we may just witness the former Southampton man living up to his potential this time.
