Manchester United legend Denis Irwin has waxed lyrical about Luke Shaw after the England international’s run of form this season and his major feat at Old Trafford.
Luke Shaw has enjoyed a rare injury-free season for Manchester United so far and the 30-year-old England international has been in superb form under Ruben Amorim.
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The United defender has played in all 13 of United’s Premier League matches in the 2025-26 season and Shaw has completed the full 90 minutes on multiple occasions.
Shaw has been in the United starting XI for every Premier League fixture in the current campaign and has become a key left-sided defensive option for Ruben Amorim.
The Three Lions star has allowed United manager Amorim to plug the void in the three-man backline, which was left behind by Lisandro Martinez’s injury last season.
Denis Irwin on Luke Shaw’s Man Utd performances under Ruben Amorim and his position change
Luke Shaw has been forced to adapt to a left-sided centre-back role for Ruben Amorim’s tactical system for Manchester United after the Portuguese coach arrived at the club.
Patrick Dorgu and Diogo Dalot have become Amorim’s preferred picks for the left wing-back role, leaving Shaw to take up his position in the three-man backline.
Shaw’s run in the United first-team squad was hindered last season due to injuries, but the England left-back has managed to bounce back in the current campaign.
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Speaking on the Inside Carrington podcast, Denis Irwin praised Shaw’s recent performance for United in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
“He has been blighted with injuries, Luke, but I’ve got to say every manager, when he is fit, has picked him,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“He has started every Premier League game this season, so that tells you that Ruben is definitely backing him. He was brilliant [against Palace] and his recovery in a couple of tackles was needed by the way and particularly in the first half.”
Shaw was one of the standout performers in United’s Premier League tie with Palace and Irwin admitted that the Red Devils left-back has adapted well to his new role.
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“It suits him to play in that left centre-half [role],” Irwin continued.
“We know he can play the wing-back role, but relating it myself, I would have been more comfortable in that left centre-back role rather than being a wing-back. He has been fantastic for us this season.”
Denis Irwin’s ultimate praise for England defender Luke Shaw reaching a major Man Utd milestone feat
Luke Shaw played 82 minutes on Sunday afternoon before the former Southampton star was withdrawn and Amorim replaced him with the returning Lisandro Martinez.
The England left-back’s performance against Palace marked his 300th match for the Red Devils, with United legend Irwin talking up Shaw’s major Old Trafford feat.
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“When I got to 500, I got a little cup, a little mug kind of thing! I’ve still got it. David Gill and Sir Alex [Ferguson] presented it,” Irwin explained.
“But it’s a great achievement [to play 300 games] at this football club. Everybody knows it’s a massive football club, it’s got a huge history and tradition.
“Anybody that plays one game for this club should be privileged and honoured that they have put the shirt on for Manchester United.
“To play 300 is fantastic and, hopefully, there are plenty more to come.”
Shaw has netted four times and registered 30 assists across his 300 United matches since his sensational 2014 move to Old Trafford from Southampton.
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