Ruben Amorim names the Man Utd player who ‘wants to play more’, who he has not picked as starter yet

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Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is making good use of his squad and the players he has available.

With no pre-season to get to know his players, new Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is diving straight in.

Amorim has rotated his squad well over the three matches in charge, selecting different strikers in each game, paying attention to his players’ minutes, and even handing Antony a rare start against Bodo/Glimt.

One area he has had to be a little creative in is defence. Amorim wants to play three centre-backs, but his efforts have been made a little trickier by injuries, with full-back Noussair Mazraoui filling in.

Amorim on Luke Shaw

Ruben Amorim has picked Luke Shaw in all three match he has been in charge for; as a substitute in each one.

Injury-hit Shaw has still not started a game for Manchester United since February, and it’s now December.

Speaking at his press conference after the 4-0 win vs Everton, Amorim admitted Luke Shaw has expressed that he wants more game time.

Amorim said: “Luke Shaw really wants to play more, but we have to control and rotate the team.”

United are being sensible with Shaw’s minutes after his injury. He played 34 minutes against Ipswich, 30 against Bodo/Glimt, and 34 against Everton.

It’s sensible management, from Amorim and United’s medical staff. This time last year, Shaw made a return from injury, ended up starting nearly every game, and then broke down again.

Shaw chance could come vs Arsenal

Luke Shaw could end his long wait for a Manchester United start when the team travel to Arsenal this week.

Lisandro Martinez is suspended, which opens up a lot on the left side of Manchester United’s back three.

While the opposition is tough, Shaw has the experience to go straight into a high-profile match. He showed this at Euro 2024, starting in the final and giving a good account of himself.

Martinez could then slot back in against Nottingham Forest at the weekend. It’s a situation that suits Shaw, coming in for one game, where United do not have to start him the next game, and can continue to manage his situation sensibly.