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Luke Shaw needs to take his opportunity and kick start his Manchester United career

By Ollie Slack

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Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has had a rollercoaster last 12 months. However, now he has an opportunity to take the role he was destined to fill when he signed four years ago.

Last Friday night, there is no doubt that Luke Shaw had the best night of his Manchester United career to date. Starting the opening match of the 2018/19 campaign and scoring his first goal in senior football, Shaw picked up the man of the match award.

Despite a demanding pre-season tour on the horizon, Shaw was willing to finish his holidays early and do extra sessions in order to get fit for the USA. In doing so the 23-year old was a key figure in Jose Mourinho’s travelling squad.

With Ashley Young away with England at the World Cup Shaw had a free run in the left-back role with only youth team product Demetri Mitchell challenging.
With Ashley Young away with England at the World Cup Shaw had a free run in the left-back role with only youth team product Demetri Mitchell challenging. /

Now, after starting the opening match of the season, Shaw has an opportunity to grasp a concrete starting XI spot. Something which he has struggled to do whilst being at the club so far.

After first signing with the club, Shaw had a year of progress before being halted quite brutally with a double leg fracture. However, last season after recovering mentally and physically from such a challenging injury, Mourinho gave the Englishman a chance to impress.

However, all that the Manchester United manager did, was dangle the carrot. Shaw was in and out the side in the last few months of the season and couldn’t cement his place above Ashley Young. Someone who is a whole 10 years older.

Mourinho seemed to use the opportunity to test Shaw’s mentality and ambitions, questioning his capability to defend after hauling him off the pitch at half-time against Brighton. This humiliation of the Manchester United left-back left his teammates shocked at how he was being treated.

But, the fact Shaw is now looking to being a mainstay in the United XI going forward, you have to question whether Mourinho was purely testing the water on whether Shaw had the desire to play for one of football’s biggest and most historic clubs.
But, the fact Shaw is now looking to being a mainstay in the United XI going forward, you have to question whether Mourinho was purely testing the water on whether Shaw had the desire to play for one of football’s biggest and most historic clubs. /

Either way, it is great to see Shaw playing and enjoying his football. The beaming smile and passionate knee slide complementing his first goal for the club on Friday night was a delight to see for all Manchester United fans.

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He has always looked like a player who could set the world alight if he was filled to the top with confidence. So now after what can only be described as the perfect start to this season, will he emulate those legendary left-backs of years gone by and rise to the top?

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