It can’t be said in many aspects that Ruben Amorim is in a better position than his predecessors at the club, but one necessity for them has definitely become a luxury for him.
Aside from Ineos having a proper vision, which will take time to realise, almost everything is in a worse condition, from on-pitch competitiveness to off-pitch morale of the club staff hurt by Ineos’ ruthlessness.
However, the word “almost” is key here, since Ruben Amorim is in a position where the necessity that doomed many of his predecessors is a luxury for him.
It was slowly proving to be the case in January, and it is completely true with the 2025/26 season on the horizon. It can make a big difference.
Luke Shaw as Man Utd’s double-edged sword
When Luke Shaw joined Man Utd as one of the world’s highly-rated teenagers, the hope was that United had fixed that left-back spot for the next decade and beyond.
At the time of writing, United don’t even play with a left-back, and Shaw had played more minutes for England than for United at one point in 2024.
Shaw’s injury problems have made his contract unsellable, but the irony is that even if he were sellable, he was a unique player.
Shaw was rarely available, but so crucial was he to the team that the XI looked transformed when he was at his best.
It is no coincidence that United’s best seasons since his signing have come when he was fit consistently, regardless of who the manager was.
That is because no other left-footed player brought the same dynamism, ball-carrying, and physical excellence that made him the first name on the teamsheet when fit.
In fact, it can be argued that that status was the cause behind his injuries at times, since he was rushed back and overplayed when he wasn’t quite 100%, leading to him breaking down again.
What Amorim inherited was the husk of a player who thrilled world football with his potential and darting runs down the left side.
However, smart recruitment since then has turned Shaw from a necessity to a luxury.
Ruben Amorim’s Luke Shaw is a luxury
It speaks volumes about Shaw’s qualities as a player that when he was fit under Amorim, his role at left centre-back became important again, and his stints at wing-back in small doses thrilled.
However, United no longer need Shaw to be fit to have that dynamism, ball-carrying, and physical dominance.
Amorim clearly realised how important Shaw was to previous Man Utd managers, and immediately addressed it by signing three left-footed players.
Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, and Diego Leon have combined to consign Shaw to “luxury” status in 2025/26, a status he should have had since 2023.
Dorgu offers dynamism at left wing-back, Heaven offers ball-carrying, and Leon has the physical ability to eventually become what Shaw was at Southampton, and during his best at Old Trafford.
It has gone from a point where the team looked toothless without Shaw to the player not being a part of United’s strongest XI.
Shaw staying fit is a bonus squad option now. He’s an overpaid luxury, but one that is still better than overpaid, yet rarely available necessity.
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