Luke Shaw Opens Up About Injury Struggles and Commitment to Manchester United

Luke Shaw

England's left-back, Luke Shaw, has candidly discussed his injury struggles from the past season and addressed criticism of his commitment to Manchester United.

Shaw, who featured in only 15 matches last season, last played in mid-February due to recurring injuries. Despite this, he was included in England's squad for Euro 2024.

In an interview with The Independent, Shaw shared his thoughts on his progress and gratitude towards England manager Gareth Southgate. "I am certainly doing much better than many might think," Shaw said. "I'm immensely grateful to Southgate for selecting me and showing his faith in me."

Shaw emphasized his dedication to regaining fitness and helping England succeed in the tournament. "It's about repaying that trust, doing my best to get back to full fitness, and helping the team win the Euros," he added.

Addressing misconceptions about his situation, Shaw explained, "People saw a setback, but I was actually very close to rejoining the team training before the FA Cup final. I pushed myself to return quickly, which led to another hamstring injury three weeks before the final. It was deemed a six-week injury, which explains the setback."

Shaw clarified the confusion surrounding his fitness on social media. "Some people questioned how I could be fit for England but not for Manchester United," he said. "Circumstances led me to push myself to be fit for United. It was disappointing, but I strive to do everything for my team."

Reflecting on the challenges, Shaw said, "I've been with Manchester United for a long time, and it was hard to accept the situation in recent weeks. But I'm here now, and I'm doing everything I can to recover."

Shaw also acknowledged shared responsibility for his injury issues. "I felt something during the match against Aston Villa in February and had to come off at halftime. It was partly my fault and partly the medical staff's. I didn't train all week, but I played the day before the match. If the manager asks me to play, I'll never refuse, but clearly, I shouldn't have played."

In conclusion, Shaw reiterated his loyalty to his team. "I've always said that the team comes first, and that will never change."