Luke Shaw has warned his Manchester United teammates not to underestimate Bournemouth in today’s 3pm kick-off down in Dorset.
Manchester United’s shocking away record this season should be playing in the back of all the players’ minds because that is the reason we haven’t been able to secure Champions League football yet.
Erik ten Hag’s side travel to Bournemouth looking to build on last week’s win over Wolves. It’s crucial we pick up three points with Newcastle set to clinch a place in the top four and Liverpool breathing down our necks.
Even though Gary O’Neil has guided Bournemouth to safety in the Premier League and his players may be thinking about their holidays, Shaw wants to see the right attitude and aggression from his team-mates at the Vitality Stadium.
“It’s a really important game and it’s going to be a very tough game,” Shaw told club media, as per ManUtd.com. “Bournemouth away is never easy – we just have to go in with the right attitude, right aggression, do the right things and I’m sure we can get the win there.”
Shaw added: “It’s been really strange to be honest (having consecutive free midweeks). We’d much prefer to be in the Europa League but it’s been good to have a little bit of rest, something different. This season has been very challenging. There have been a lot of games and not really much time to rest.
“Us, as a team, feel like we’re benefiting from a whole week [of preparation]. We’ve been training hard and working on what we’ve got to do in the game at the weekend.
“I think that’s been good, to have a longer period of training time. The manager can fully get his tactical ideas across on how he wants us to deliver in the games.”
Shaw has been one of United’s most improved players this season. It is clear that he is taking whatever Ten Hag says on board because the manager has trusted him in more than one position this season.
The left-back has been a real bonus and I say that as someone who was critical of Shaw in the past.
That said, when it comes to United players, I love to be proved wrong if I say something critical of their performances.
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