Luke Shaw has spoken out to dispel any speculation regarding his commitment to Manchester United after a difficult season in his career.
The defender has endured yet another injury-plagued campaign in 2023/2024, which has led to him making just 15 appearances in total across the term, 12 of which came in the Premier League.
Having already missed four months’ worth of action by the beginning of February, Shaw sustained a muscle complaint later in the month that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the season, consequently ruling him out of Saturday’s FA Cup final.
As such, his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euros squad raised the eyebrows of some United supporters, as the assumption was that he was still unavailable heading into the summer.
The England manager addressed Shaw’s precarious situation in a press conference held after his squad announcement, telling reporters: “He is up against it. He missed a lot of football.
“The fact he’s been our first choice in that position, we’re probably giving him a bit longer. I’ve spoken with him but I have to say he’s a long shot to make the final squad.”
Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are the only other Reds to have made the 30-man squad, with Marcus Rashford entirely omitted. However, it remains to be seen if they’ll make the cut when Southgate trims his selection before the tournament kicks off.
Shaw’s message to fans
Nevertheless, Shaw was keen to put the record straight regarding his current condition and opted to pen a message to supporters on Instagram today.
“Happy for the boys to lift the trophy at the weekend and finish this season on a positive. As much as it was the result I wanted, it was hard to watch from the stands,” he began.
“This has definitely been the most frustrating season for me. I have had setback after setback and have worked so hard to get back to fitness, but things just haven’t gone my way. I pushed so hard to get back before the end of the season and the final, but some things just aren’t meant to be.
“There’s nothing I want to do more than play and win with Manchester United. I don’t normally react to things I see on social media, but there are a lot of people questioning my loyalty to this club and asking how I am fit for England but not United.
“The reality is, I am not 100% fit for either right now, but I am doing everything I can and constantly working to be. I have been at this club for 10 years through highs and lows, and for anyone to question my loyalty is obviously frustrating.
“I appreciate I haven’t updated you all with my injuries and where I’m at with my recovery, but equally, the most important thing to me is that we’re supporting the team playing. My biggest focus right now is being fit, and then whatever happens this summer, I will be ready.
“Thank you for your patience.”
