Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw firmly believes that this current squad of players is the most confident United side he has ever played with and admits he’s as happy as he’s ever felt.
The struggles of the red half of Manchester have not been hard to see, long gone have been the days of serial-winning Sir Alex Ferguson sides, but Shaw believes there is now good cause for renewed hope among the United faithful.
United are currently enduring a 16-game unbeaten run in all competitions with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth side the latest to be brushed aside by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer young-guns.
Shaw, 24, now believes that this current crop of players are the most confident ones yet and admits he feels the happiest he has ever felt.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Shaw said: “Over the past years, it hasn’t always been the most exciting and we have not always played as well as I feel like we are at the moment – especially in my time here.
“This is the most confident [we have felt]. Around the training ground and on the pitch now, the confidence is so high and we are going into games now full of belief.
“A big turning point was going 1-0 down [against Bournemouth] the other day. In recent times we would have struggled with getting results, but I think that is a sign that we are going in the right direction.
“Of course we are very happy with how things are going but of course there is still room for improvement we all believe.”
The English full-back highlighted that manager Solskjaer insists on having a group of players with a fitting character and has praised Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes’ emergence as leaders.
Paying tribute to his manager, Shaw said: “The manager has done a brilliant job.
“Of course the players he has brought in, the group of players now, we all get on really well and I think there is a great happiness in and around the training ground each day.
“Everyone is smiling, everyone is enjoying each other’s company and I think that is important to have a successful team. Everyone wants the same thing and gets along with each other and I can see a big change in the group not just on the pitch, but with each other off the pitch too.”
Highlighting the impact Portuguese sensation Fernandes has had on the side both on and off the pitch, Shaw said: “For me, Bruno is a massive part of the change, the culture that is now going on at United.
“He pushes that day in, day out.
“[He is] an amazing guy off the pitch, he’s funny and he has massive confidence in his own ability, which none of us doubt. He’s been perfect on the pitch.
“The whole team has changed I believe. The injuries we had also – Paul [Pogba] and [Marcus] Rashford – have also come back and hit the ground running in this part of the season. Everyone is pulling their weight and doing a great job.”
Shaw also drew attention to United starlet Mason Greenwood. In light of the 18-year old’s truly stunning performance against Bournemouth on the weekend Shaw believes Greenwood will go onto become a club legend. Shaw went onto say: “The growth that Mason has made in the last year-and-a-half he has been in and around the first team is amazing.
“For me personally, I feel like he has turned from a kid to a man in such short time and now he’s understanding what this league is about.
“He has grown in size, he has got stronger and he is not fragile anymore. [Before, he] could be pushed off the ball.
“The most important thing I would say for him is ignore the hype, ignore what people are saying, just focus on yourself, keep doing what he’s doing and there is no reason why he can’t become a very important player for Manchester United in the future.
“He can become a United legend, no doubt about it.”
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