Man Utd’s messiah! Why Luke Shaw’s return could save the Red Devils’ season - and Erik ten Hag’s job

 

The left-back from England has the potential to ignite a resurgence at Old Trafford, having made a comeback from injury earlier than expected.

Manchester United has faced numerous challenges in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, reaching a nadir with a 3-0 defeat against Newcastle at Old Trafford on November 1. This loss marked their exit from the Carabao Cup at the round of 16, concluding a dismal defense of the trophy they secured with a final victory over the same opponents in February.

Furthermore, it represented their eighth defeat in the initial 15 matches across all competitions in the 2023-24 season. United hasn't had such a poor start since 1961, a period when they were rebuilding the squad following the tragic Munich air crash of '58.

Under Erik ten Hag's management, the team has struggled defensively in both domestic and European competitions, displaying a concerning lack of effectiveness in front of the goal. Despite winning four of their last five Premier League matches, United's victories were by a narrow margin, and they currently trail league leaders Manchester City by seven points.

Securing another top-four finish currently appears to be a formidable challenge for United, given their subpar performances. Qualifying for the next season's Champions League through winning the competition seems highly unlikely. Avoiding an early exit hinges on securing maximum points in their final two group matches against Galatasaray and Bayern Munich.

Despite the gloomy outlook, there's still room for hope. The team's decline is undeniably influenced by a string of unfortunate injuries. The likes of Andre Onana, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Amad Diallo, and Tyrell Malacia are sidelined, with Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also missing a substantial number of games.

Managing with such a depleted squad is a challenge for any team, but the absence of Luke Shaw has been particularly impactful for United. Shaw, who suffered a muscle issue in the 2-0 loss to Tottenham on August 17, was not anticipated to return until December. However, in a surprising turn of events, Shaw resumed training this week and is poised to start against Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday. Despite not always receiving due credit, the 28-year-old left-back holds a pivotal role in Ten Hag's squad, and his comeback could potentially trigger a swift reversal in the team's fortunes.

Alliance reignited

Marcus Rashford clinched the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for the 2022-23 season, leading the fan voting ahead of Bruno Fernandes and Martinez. His standout season in the iconic red shirt also earned him the Player's Player of the Year award.

Shaw played a pivotal role in Rashford's success, providing the platform for him to excel. The defender's well-timed overlapping runs forced opposition players out of position, allowing Rashford to either cut inside or make penetrating runs into the penalty area, contributing crucial finishes or decisive final passes for United.

In Shaw's absence due to injury against Spurs, Rashford struggled to replicate his previous impact. Since the defender's injury, Rashford has only scored once in 14 appearances, and his place in Ten Hag's lineup has been tenuous.

While Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, and Sergio Reguilon stepped in for Shaw, none established the same natural synergy with Rashford in attacking plays. Consequently, United lacked a significant threat down the left flank, a key source of goals in the previous season.

Rashford's frustration manifested in attempting to create openings and taking ambitious shots from unfavorable positions. His confidence has taken a hit, and a much-needed boost could come from the return of Shaw. The English duo forged one of English football's most effective partnerships in Ten Hag's debut season in Manchester, and there's every reason to believe they can reignite that synergy.

Ambitious Hojlund

United invested £72 million ($90m) to acquire Hojlund from Atalanta in the summer transfer window, a substantial outlay given his limited experience. However, this gamble hasn't yielded dividends so far, with the Danish striker enduring a goal drought spanning nine Premier League games, struggling to adapt to the pace of English football.

While Hojlund showcases commendable work-rate, there are evident rough edges in his game that require refinement. Opting for Harry Kane might have been a more logical choice, and there could be a tinge of regret for Ten Hag, especially witnessing Kane's prolific start at Bayern Munich.

Despite Hojlund's challenges, he remains a prospect with the potential to reach Kane's level in the future. The 20-year-old has impressed with five goals in four Champions League appearances for United, displaying notable link-up play and intelligent off-the-ball movement. However, many of his well-timed runs have been overlooked.

Drawing a parallel, former United defender Rio Ferdinand likened Hojlund's situation to Ruud van Nistelrooy's predicament after Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in 2003. Ferdinand highlighted the challenge Hojlund faces with wide players not providing suitable service, echoing Van Nistelrooy's frustration with a lack of crosses.

United has yet to play Hojlund alongside Shaw, a prospect that excites the striker for potential quality service. Shaw, a prolific crosser and top passer into the final third last season, could significantly enhance Hojlund's output. The anticipation is that Hojlund's performance might see a considerable boost with the right service in the upcoming matches.

Defensive equilibrium

Shaw is widely acknowledged as one of the premier left-backs, owed to his ball-playing finesse and prowess in one-on-one situations. While his primary contribution is in the left-back position, Ten Hag has experimented with deploying him as a center-half, yielding impressive outcomes.

Last season, Shaw featured in eleven starts as a central defender, often getting the nod over Harry Maguire under the Dutch manager's preference for the left-footer. In this role, the English international exhibited not only defensive resilience and astute reading of the game but notably excelled in his passing ability.

Ten Hag emphasizes the importance of center-backs initiating attacks from various angles, and Shaw consistently delivered incisive passes, contributing to offensive build-ups. Despite primarily being a defensive role, Shaw showcased his ability to push forward during counter-attacks.

Given Martinez's anticipated absence until the new year, Shaw emerges as a compelling choice to partner with Maguire, who has recently reclaimed his spot as the right-sided center-back. In comparison to Lindelof and summer signing Jonny Evans, Shaw brings more to the table, showcasing technical prowess to venture into midfield and the mobility to closely track opposing runners.

Complete trust in Ten Hag

When United faces losses, the manager inevitably faces scrutiny, a lesson Ten Hag swiftly learned, especially after commencing his tenure with consecutive defeats against Brighton and Brentford. Despite notable setbacks against Manchester City, Liverpool, and Sevilla in 2022-23, the campaign was ultimately deemed successful, with Ten Hag securing a trophy and Champions League qualification.

The players rallied behind the Dutchman, marking a notable shift since Ferguson's departure in 2013. Shaw, in particular, expressed strong confidence in Ten Hag, acknowledging the transformative impact on the team's mindset and style of play. Speaking to Sky Sports in May, Shaw highlighted the manager's emphasis on high intensity, aggressiveness, and pressing.

Expressing optimism for the future, Shaw declared the team's objective for the upcoming season as winning both the Premier League and the Champions League. Additionally, he advocated for new signings, leading to the arrivals of Hojlund, Mount, Onana, Reguilon, and Sofyan Amrabat in the summer transfer window. The season began with a scrappy home win against Wolves and a defeat to Spurs, accompanied by Shaw's unfortunate fitness setback.

However, the team's subsequent decline was unforeseen. United has seemingly lost its identity, with many of Ten Hag's signings, from both this year and the previous one, either underperforming or past their prime. Dressing room leaks, reminiscent of past managerial challenges, have resurfaced, raising doubts about Ten Hag's player trust.

While the situation appears daunting for Ten Hag to reverse, he can potentially find strong support in Shaw, who has been absent for much of this turbulent period. Shaw's opinion on Ten Hag is likely unchanged, and he could play a pivotal role in restoring belief in the manager among the rest of the squad.

Although achieving the lofty goals initially set might be challenging, there is still ample motivation for United in the second half of the season.

Take it easy

The availability of Shaw for selection is a significant lift for the entire club, and Ten Hag has confirmed his intention to reintegrate him swiftly. In a Thursday press conference, the United manager stated, "Shaw has been training for two weeks with the team. We are quite hopeful that he will return to the squad for Sunday’s game."

The international break allowed Shaw to regain rhythm on the training pitch without the pressure of risking a recurrence of his muscle issue in a competitive match. However, it would be prudent for Ten Hag to gradually reintroduce the full-back, considering Shaw's history.

Earlier in Shaw's United career, frequent serious injuries hindered his substantial contributions, often leading to setbacks whenever he attempted a comeback. While he has evolved into a more resilient player over the past four or five seasons, capable of handling elite-level football consistently, rushing him back into the starting XI remains less advisable given his injury history.

United's upcoming fixture against Everton is expected to be challenging, with Sean Dyche's side dealing with a 10-point deduction and a determination to climb out of the relegation zone. The temptation to start Shaw will be present, but Ten Hag, despite receiving the board's vote of confidence, must be cautious after recent setbacks. The looming crucial Champions League clash against Galatasaray adds further consideration, suggesting it might be prudent to reserve Shaw for that contest in Turkey.

Looking ahead, the Red Devils will heavily rely on Shaw's peak performance to salvage their season. If successful, perhaps Shaw will finally receive the recognition he deserves.