There’s a war of words brewing between two Manchester United legends over the status of a current player who’s dividing opinion.
Multiple United managers have said in the past that the media circus and intense scrutiny that surrounds everything at the club plays a part in making the job extremely difficult.
The pundits, especially ex-United players contribute to it as well and no matter how much the players say it doesn’t affect them, word travels everywhere in the social media age.
On that tangent, Nicky Butt calling Peter Schmeichel’s comments on Luke Shaw “stupid” are undoubtedly going to raise many eyebrows…
Nicky Butt vs Peter Schmeichel on Luke Shaw
The collective goodwill balloon coming into the game vs Fulham was punctured with the news that Luke Shaw was set to miss out on the start of the season due to another injury.
Shaw last played for United in February but went to the Euros for England where he returned to action, only to sustain a calf issue to miss United’s start of the campaign.
Fans were incensed at Shaw’s injury, and Peter Schmeichel echoed similar sentiments about Shaw’s issue, going as for as to doubt his commitment to the club since he made himself available for international duty.
The fans lapped up those comments but now Nicky Butt has launched a staunch defence of the player, calling Schmeichel’s comments “stupid” in the process.
Talking on Talksport, Butt said that as a professional, players don’t pick and choose which team they want to try hard for.
He said: “I think it’s a bit of a stupid comment, to be honest, from Pete [Peter Schmeichel] that because literally wherever you play football, if you are a proper professional, you don’t prioritise your club or your country where you are going to be.
“And that might be Sunday to Sunday, a 10-day spin or a three-day spin. You put all your effort and all your energy into that and you get back to your club and start again.”
The Luke Shaw problem
While it is a given that no player ever wants to be injured, the circumstances of this particular injury lend some credence to both, Schmeichel and Butt’s comments.
Knowing his brittle status, it can be argued that Shaw should never have gone to the Euros, especially as he was half-fit at the time anyway and missed the group-stage games.
He came back into the team as soon as he was available and that, for a player who’s injury-prone, is never a welcome sight.
To play for England in the latter stages only to return to United after an extended break and sustain another injury would understandably cause frustration in the United circles.
Maybe Schmeichel went a bit too far by questioning his commitment to the club, but the reality is that Shaw’s injury record at United speaks more against the player than any fan or pundit could.
Thankfully, United are better prepared to deal with his absence this season and manage his minutes than they were last year so once he returns, the overall picture should be better.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
