Erik ten Hag has lauded Luke Shaw for his mentality and contributions to the team this season.
The England international is currently showing some of the best form he’s been in and he has Ten Hag to thank for a large part of that.
At the beginning of the season, Manchester United suffered consecutive defeats in their opening two matches of the 2022/2023 campaign. The second was considerably worse, as they conceded four goals to Brentford in 35 minutes and finished the game sat rock bottom of the Premier League table.
Shaw was hooked at halftime with summer signing Tyrell Malacia taking his place, which consequently began an eight-week period of not being named in the starting 11.
After being dropped from the lineup following the Brentford loss, Ten Hag told MUTV how the defender reacted, and how hard he worked to fight for his place again. He said: “I like it that he is so honest. After the second game [at Brentford], he didn’t play but he said ‘I fully understand, my performance is not right’. But, from the first day in training in pre-season, he was working really hard. You can see, when he is in the right approach, he is a top player.”
Ten Hag on Shaw’s leadership qualities
Recently Shaw has been utilised as a left centre-back and displayed several faultless performances in the position. This again shows his mentality and desire to help the team in any circumstance, even if it means playing out of his comfort zone. Ten Hag added: “Not even only a team player, he is a leader. He has shown a lot of leading capacity, the example at this moment, with his skills, his physical power.
“He brings a lot to the team, also in his mentality. Now he is an example, how to win big games, and I’m really happy with his development. I think it’s huge, if it’s at centre-half or left full-back, he is a really great player and a great personality for the dressing room.”
