Ruben Amorim has started his job at Manchester United and if the scrutiny of his first training session at the club was any indication, it will be box office.
From Antony playing in a new position to Mason Mount being singled out for praise by the manager, every action and detail was covered extensively.
Amorim had only 11 first-team players available due to international duty but that doesn’t mean the session was inconsequential or meant any less.
In fact, for one player, no training session, day, or game will be inconsequential as he faces the six most important months of his career at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim.
Make or break for Luke Shaw
It perhaps sums up Erik ten Hag’s luck at Manchester United that the position he kept crying out for has received two players back almost as soon as he was sacked.
Tyrell Malacia recently played for the Man Utd 21s as he steps up his recovery from a long-term injury and Luke Shaw is also back in training.
Malacia is a less urgent case because he was always a low-cost backup on palatable wages who overperformed in his debut season.
The situation couldn’t be more different for Shaw. Not only was his last appearance for the club all the way back in February but the fact he has made appearances for England in that span but not United has soured him in many Man Utd fans‘ eyes.
After picking up an injury in pre-season, his return timeline, which, at the time, was reported to be after the first international break has been postponed so many times that the third break is about to end with no appearances from Shaw.
His contract renewal was announced in April 2023 after good performances in Ten Hag’s first season but it has become somewhat of an albatross around the neck.
United can feel cheated that Shaw showed his best form, earned a contract, and has since disappeared or not been effective on the odd occasion he has played.
No player is out of action on purpose and it would be foolish to completely blame Shaw for his situation but the sport at the top level is competitive and cutthroat and this is no longer Glazers’ club (at least partly). There’s only one hope.
Luke Shaw’s fit in Ruben Amorim’s team
Fortunately for Shaw, Amorim’s arrival addresses two things that, if combined with some luck and smart management, can save Shaw’s career.
First, if Amorin’s first training session was any indication, he sees two roles for Shaw in his team- as the left-wingback was a natural one but as the left-sided centre-back is another option.
The latter will be a less intensive role on his body but it is likely to be occupied more by Lisandro Martinez which brings us to the second point.
Amorim uses all five subs in pretty much every game and his Sporting side was among the fittest teams in the league, a far cry from Ten Hag’s time where his training and tactical methods were often cited as a cause behind the glut of injuries.
It is impossible to forget Shaw being rushed back last season, playing in five games in 17 days right away after recovering from an injury only to pull up at half-time against Luton Town on February 18, 2024. He’s yet to be seen in a United shirt since.
Amorim is likely to be more cautious and smart with his management and ultimately, Shaw will have to be extremely professional and smart with his own body.
Considering Ineos’ ruthless approach, it might just be the most important six months of his United career. Only he can make sure they’re not the last six months as well.
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