Manchester United’s resident ironman, Bruno Fernandes, finally broke down this summer, but Ruben Amorim’s biggest success story lies in creating an unexpected one in his squad.
When it comes to players who are always available, Bruno Fernandes doesn’t just set the standard at Old Trafford, but he’s pretty much the gold standard in European football.
Before his current injury, he had missed just six games with injury in his as many years at the club, a record that is frankly just ridiculous.
Ruben Amorim’s major update on Bruno Fernandes ahead of Man Utd vs Wolves… 🎙️😐
On a scale of 1️⃣ to 1️⃣ 0️⃣, how confident are YOU that Man Utd will beat Wolves without Bruno Fernandes’ involvement? 🤔
However, what’s most ridiculous is the player who has become United’s ironman this season in Fernandes’ absence.
Bruno Fernandes has been usurped by Luke Shaw
If Fernandes was the personification of fitness and availability, Luke Shaw’s story at Man Utd is one big “What if?” due to his history with injuries.
Ever since that unfortunate broken leg during a game under Louis van Gaal, Shaw has constantly faced injury problems, missing games left, right, and centre.
It reached a point where Ruben Amorim publicly admitted that he took special considerations with Shaw when he arrived as Man Utd manager.
However, those special considerations are now paying off and then some, as the player Amorim called “world-class” is adding availability to his quality.
At the time of writing, Shaw is the outfield player with the most minutes played for United in the league, playing 1,547 minutes across 18 league games.
That accounts for 96% of all available minutes, which would be encouraging for any other player, but it’s borderline unbelievable for a player as injury-prone as Shaw.
While Shaw undoubtedly deserves credit for taking care of his body, and the lighter fixture schedule is also helping him, the Englishman is a bona fide Ruben Amorim success story.
Ruben Amorim deserves credit for Shaw’s status
Amorim has his doubters among Man Utd fans, and rightly so, because the steps forward have been accompanied by big setbacks far too often.
Ruben Amorim’s instant update on the Mason Mount tactical change in Man Utd’s 1-0 win vs Newcastle 🗣️🎙️
Mason Mount wanted to play, but Ruben Amorim didn’t want to take the risk. 👀 Who do YOU agree with on this occasion? Mount or Amorim? 🤔
However, one department in which he deserves immense credit is how he has managed to reduce injuries and handle injury-prone players.
His tweak of Shaw’s position has lessened his load during games, which is contributing to a fitter Shaw, and his initial cautious handling of the player got him over the difficult hump.
The same can be said for Mason Mount, who, despite niggling issues, is playing the best football of his United career due to Amorim being cautious with him.
The players were injury-prone, but the managers running them into the ground was an issue before Amorim arrived.
Shaw stands as the biggest success story of Amorim’s methods on sports science and injury prevention, and usurping Bruno Fernandes in minutes played is the highest accolade a player can have for availability.
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