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Why Luke Shaw’s return will change the fortunes of this Manchester United flop
With the headlines surrounding Manchester United currently involving their recent appointment of ‘The Special One’, Jose Mourinho, after the debatable sacking of Louis Van Gaal, Luke Shaw’s return to fitness has gone largely unnoticed. Yet, as photos of his first training session with the first team appeared online, people began to take notice.
The young Englishman; signed from Southampton in the summer of Van Gaal’s arrival, began life in Manchester labelled as by his own manager. Having arrived from the South Coast after playing 15 full games, many fans would have thought that the then 19-year-old would have been ready for Premier League football.
Yet Shaw, like many others, was stunned by Van Gaal’s criticism. Upon going abroad with team-mate Januzaj, he took a trainer with him to prime him for the 2014/15 season ahead. By the time he returned, the young man was ready to fit Van Gaal’s philosophy, a testament to his work ethic. However, Shaw suffered another stuttering campaign with injuries taking their toll, possibly having not being given enough time to for his body to mature as a teenager. The youngster, who held the ‘most expensive teenager’ title for a period of time, only made 16 appearances, creating 14 chances.
His next pre-season became vital. It was a make or break year for Shaw as fans questioned Ed Woodward’s investment. They acknowledged that Shaw had talent but questioned whether his injury-prone stature would allow him to fulfil his potential.
He returned with the aim to throughout the duration of the 2015/16 season and his manager was backing him fully. No criticism of his fitness came from Van Gaal, who instead went on to claim it was the ‘. Having gained a full pre-season to acquire fitness, Shaw returned to competitive football without record signing Angel Di Maria ahead of him. Instead, he partnered with a player of a similar age and potential, Dutch winger Memphis.
An instant connection was ignited, with Shaw labelling his new friend as , to Memphis’ amusement, when being asked to describe his team-mate in one word. The two came together through their young age and naivety towards the world’s biggest stage yet made light-work of Club Brugge in the Champions League qualifier.
Memphis and Shaw had a natural chemistry and it was clear to see as both men started down the left-side during the first four games of the season. Collectively, they made six goal-scoring opportunities as United took seven points from a possible 12. Whispers of a possible title challenge grew as Memphis and Shaw spear-headed United’s early season form.
Yet, Luke Shaw was only to play one more Premier League game before a broken leg in the Champions League fixture against PSV Eindhoven ruled him out until the end of the season. Memphis went on to complete only eight full Premier League games out of a possible 24 after the left-back’s injury.
No claims of unrest or dispute came from within, as Memphis was restricted game time. Instead, he looked morally destroyed as he attacked alone from left-wing ahead of the more defensive-minded Matteo Darmian and Marcus Rojo. The Dutchman appeared out of his depth, but fans continued to pray for an upturn in fortunes despite the former PSV winger’s playstyle became ever increasingly predictable.
Compared to his season in the Eredivisie, Memphis managed just five goals in all competitions, massively lower than the 26 he bagged in his final season in the Netherlands. In the league, Memphis scored two for United despite having attempted a total of 57 shots, a conversion rate of an embarrassing 3.5%. It is perhaps of more interest to look at both the accuracy of these attempts and from where they were taken from, though. Of his total , 36 of those came from outside the area. Instantly identifying the problem behind his uninspiring season.
Without Shaw exploiting the overlap, Memphis had no option but to utilise his stronger right foot. Coming inside, often too many times a game, full-backs became accustomed to what he was going to try. Indeed. video analysis of Memphis may at times have become boring and repetitive for his opposing number to study. Once one on one, the full-back; being able to see that neither Rojo or Darmian; depending on who was favoured by Van Gaal, were making their way down the touchline. Once inside, Memphis would front up to a defensive unit, of often nine outfield players, waiting to intercept passes or allow him to shoot from range, knowing 56% of the time he would miss the target, occasionally by a hideous distance.
With Shaw soon to return, confidence looks to have returned. Seen laughing and joking on the training ground, United fans can look forward to the two friends taking to the field again, having also removed the strict tactical shackles placed upon them by Van Gaal. Memphis has publicly said he his connection with Shaw and explained perfectly why he’ll improve when he returns. He alluded to the fact that Shaw can go past players making his job as an inverted winger easier.
Shaw’s uncontested speed, in comparison to Darmian and Rojo, will provide Memphis with a new option for the upcoming season. The variety Memphis has available to him is either to cut inside and find a pass or shot, use Shaw’s overlap as a dummy or as a pass, or to head down the line himself with Shaw as an availability if the crossing opportunity is blocked off. The Dutchman also mentioned his desire to increase his defensive workload with Shaw with him frequently at full-back.
After a dismal campaign for Memphis ended with him being left out United’s F.A. Cup final victory, Shaw’s too ended in disappointment having not returned to fitness in time. With Memphis to see the negatives of Van Gaal’s departure, it’s clear to see he missed the absence of Luke Shaw to injury. Now, with the fullback returning, and his former boss replaced by, most likely, Jose Mourinho, United fans await to see whether Memphis can really fulfil the huge promise he arrived with.
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