Luke Shaw has been one of Manchester United’s best players in recent months. And his absence was keenly felt against Sheffield United.
The Red Devils threw away three big points against the Premier League’s bottom club and fingers were pointed at their misfiring forwards. Yet the absence of a resurgent left-back was just as important.
Shaw is back to his best this season. The £27million man (BBC) has been the subject of much debate at Old Trafford. Yet he has been nothing short of sensational in United’s title charge.
An almost-ever-present as United have racked up points at an impressive rate, Shaw has developed an impressive partnership with Marcus Rashford down the left.
The only other time Shaw missed the first whistle since mid-December, he was thrown on at half-time.
That game, against Wolves, saw United toil until a late Rashford strike grabbed all three points. But Shaw’s persistence and thrust was also vital.
This time, Alex Telles stayed on until the 82nd minute. But the fact that Shaw was called on with United chasing an equaliser speaks volumes.
The 25-year-old is so much more than a defender. He gives this United side balance and his buccaneering form is a joy to behold.
Had Shaw started, United could well have won this game. Instead they are left to rue what might have been.
An unlikely hero
Bruno Fernandes has been United’s best player this season. But the Portuguese is not the only star to have turned the club’s prospects on their head.
Shaw rarely makes the headlines but his importance is growing by the week.
Telles was signed to challenge the England international and – on first glance – to head straight into the starting XI. Instead, Shaw is the man in form and United look weaker whenever he is absent.
Telles may have got the assist against Sheffield United, but his overall play is lacking compared with a teammate who could be approaching superstar status.
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