Luke Shaw has had his say on who is deserving of winning Manchester United’s Player of the Year award.
Shaw won the award last year in a turbulent season for the Reds who went through a managerial change and endured stark differences in results.
The left-back remained a consistent performer after regaining Jose Mourinho’s trust and impressing when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrived at Old Trafford.
His start to this season was ruined by injuries and many were questioning his place within the squad after the fearless academy graduate Brandon Williams took his place.
But Shaw has been brilliant upon his return to the side, thriving in the centre back position in a back three.
Solskjaer has had several notable performers this season including Shaw, but there isn’t one player in particular who stands out from the rest.
However, Shaw thinks the decision for Player of the Year would have been a no brainer if one player was fortunate enough to stay fit.
“If Marcus Rashford had been fit for the whole campaign and hadn’t suffered his injury, I think he would have won without any doubt at all,” he told United’s official website.
“Rashy would be pushing for the best player of the season across the entire league because he was that good. He was on fire at times and gave the whole team a massive boost. It was the best and most confident I’ve seen him, so he’s absolutely, definitely, a contender.”
Rashford scored 14 Premier League goals before he suffered a double stress fracture in his back during the FA Cup replay against Wolves in January. The England international has found his home in the inside left channel in Solskjaer’s fluid attacking system and played his best football we have seen. We agree with Shaw that he could have potentially challenged for Premier League player of the year if he had kicked on and avoided injury.
Meanwhile, Shaw has acknowledged Fred for having a breakthrough season at the club. The Brazilian has shone in a midfield pivot alongside the revitalised Nemanja Matic.
“I have to say that Fred would be up there. Everyone knows that when you come to a big club like United, it isn’t always easy to settle in at the start and be the player that you can be straight away.
“He’s adapted to the Premier League this season, his qualities have shone through and he’s been a bright light for us. It’s even nicer to see after he had his doubters outside the club. Fred believed in himself and has had a great season.”
Shaw also thinks new signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka is worthy of a mention. The 22-year-old has proven to be an excellent addition from Crystal Palace, solving United’s long-standing problem at right-back.
“Beyond those two, I think Harry Maguire has been immense, but I can’t look past Aaron Wan-Bissaka,” he said.
“For me, he’s been the most consistent player this season. If you look back at all the games we played, I can remember only one mistake, for the penalty at Watford, and that has literally been it.
“He has been a solid eight out of ten in every other game he’s played, never puts a foot wrong, puts his foot in the right position every time and, for me, he’s the best one v one defender in the world. No-one can get past him, he’s really improved that side of his game and his attacking side too.
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