Ruben Amorim suggested that one veteran Manchester United star had an abundance of talent and he had seen it first-hand before the current season started.
The 40-year-old Manchester United manager has appeared to turn a corner on his reign after a mixed start to the 2025-26 Premier League season at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim has seen the Red Devils pick up momentum in recent weeks and United have not lost a match in their last five Premier League fixtures.
The former Sporting CP boss has experienced a first in his United managerial reign after the Red Devils won three consecutive Premier League matches this season.
Amorim has seen the likes of Bryan Mbeumo excel in the 2025-26 campaign, but another United star is also vindicating the Portuguese coach’s summer remarks.
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Why Ruben Amorim thought Man Utd star Luke Shaw was a ‘world-class player’ ahead of the 2025-26 season
Luke Shaw was limited with his Manchester United first-team opportunities in the 2024-25 campaign after another injury-hit season at the Premier League club.
The 30-year-old United left-back was reduced to 12 appearances across all competitions, but Luke Shaw fought back after returning from the sidelines.
Amorim clearly found an effective role for Shaw in his tactical system, with the England international shifting to the left-sided centre-back in the three-man backline.
Speaking ahead of the current season, the United manager expertly broke down the key details that made Shaw fall into the “world-class” bracket in his eyes.
“Luke Shaw is a world-class player,” Amorim said in July, as per BBC Sport.
“That is my feeling. You can feel it in the small things; when he touches the ball, the ability to play one against one.
“England had two finals. He had issues during the season, but in the final, he is always there. That means something.”
What Ruben Amorim wanted to see from Luke Shaw and why the Man Utd star has been showing it this season
Luke Shaw has almost bettered his appearances for United from last season with his run of form for Amorim’s side in the current campaign.
The United defender has featured in all 11 Premier League matches for the Red Devils this season, with Shaw in the starting XI all 11 times for the club.
Shaw was once again written off before the season started after his injury-hit form in the previous campaign, but he has been a steady presence in defence this season.
The England star has shown his key role on the left side of defence within Amorim’s United first team, especially in the absence of the injured Lisandro Martinez.
Amorim’s world-class claim for Shaw came with the all-important message that the United star’s true potential is shown with his fitness and training at the club.
“But he needs to be fit,” he continued.
“He needs to train at the limit, which is what he is doing at the moment. He is a great player and I am really pleased with him.”
United fans can only hope that Amorim’s remarks maintain the course of the 2025-26 Premier League season and then Shaw can show the full extent of his ability.
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