Luke Shaw: How ‘honest’ assessment led to dropped defender becoming leader for Erik ten Hag at Man Utd | Football News

“I was shocked to play there, to be honest, in such a big game!” Luke Shaw isn’t the only one who doesn’t think he’ll be at centre-back for Manchester United in Saturday’s derby with Manchester City.

He played that role in three of United’s previous four games, but against the defending Premier League champions, with the division’s top scorer, there was little surprise that he was chosen to partner Raphael Varane ahead of World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez or club captain Harry Maguire.

Even Erik ten Hag admitted afterwards that it was a “great decision” – but it was one that ultimately paid off for United, with Erling Haaland shackled and Shaw’s outstanding development in the course of this season underlined.

Shaw was sacked after United’s nightmare start to the campaign, benched for eight games after the humiliation at Brentford. But through a combination of honest self-evaluation, hard work on the training ground and a manager keen to rebuild confidence and maximize assets, the defender has returned to the team and is now a key figure.

Against City, Shaw looked content with his job. He was the best clearance maker in the game, winning two out of three aerial duels and making no mistake for the goal. The determination to stay focused was evident in his demeanor and the way he worked around the players and his 94th minute intervention to prevent Jack Grealish’s cross from reaching Haaland summed it up.

“I’ve always said I’m going to give something when I’m on the pitch, wherever I play, and I’m happy to do whatever and whatever position I’m in,” Shaw – who previously played as part of a back three. on occasion – to Sky Sports after. “Thank God the manager believed in me there,” he added.

Indeed, the support from Ten Hag was in stark contrast to the negative reviews Shaw would receive from former United boss Jose Mourinho. Under the supervision of the Portuguese, Shaw’s confidence seemed to be shattered.

“[Shaw] is in front of me and I make all the decisions for him,” Mourinho famously said after a Premier League match in 2017. “He needs to change his football brain. We need great physical and technical qualities, but he can’t keep playing with my brain.

Five years ago, Ten Hag relied on Shaw’s understanding of the game, so much so that he wanted to place him in a crucial defensive plan.

“It was a big decision [to decide to play him vs City] but when analyzing Haaland’s profile and analyzing also the combination with Kevin De Bruyne, I think it is the right decision because he has the physical power to compete with them,” explained Ten Hag in the press conference after the match. also has a tactical sense to make the right decision and he also has the technical skills to play in that position.”

It’s been some transformation for a defender since the Mourinho era, but it’s also a fascinating reflection of how the 27-year-old has responded to a setback at the start of the season.

Ten Hag clearly deserves credit for his people management. Shaw’s renaissance is another feather in the manager’s cap. But the Dutchman gave credit for his return to Shaw’s own drive and determination – and said his squad now benefited from his experience and standard-setting display both on the pitch and at Carrington.

“He was very honest,” Ten Hag said. “After the second game, I didn’t play him. He said, ‘I know full well, my performance was not right’. But from the first day of training in pre-season, he worked hard and you can see when he is in the right approach he is a top player .

“He is not only a team player, he is a leader. He shows a lot of leadership capacity. He is an example at this time and his skills, with his physical strength, he brings a lot to the team. Now also in mentality, he is also an example of how to win big games.

“I’m very happy with his development. Whether it’s a central defender or a left-back, he’s a good player and a good personality for the dressing room.”

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Shaw said he is “still a left-back” and, after impressing for England at the World Cup in his familiar position, he reminded what he can add to United’s team from the corner when he drove forward against Bournemouth in the Premier League game before nipping inside to score in the win 3-0.

There will be more opportunities for these types of moves this season. In news that could come as a relief to Martinez and Maguire, Ten Hag explained that he wants to be able to adapt the way he uses Shaw from game to game, depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent. His conversion to central defender was not permanent.

“Today he worked very well, but in other games he can contribute more on the left side or in a wide position, so for me it is a tactical choice that we can see from game to game what we need,” said Ten Hag about Shaw. season. “We have more players in our squad who have the capacity to be multi-functional and we can use this as a weapon in the game.”

Shaw’s versatility is a real bonus for the Ten Hag – and whether he’s on the left or in central defense, he has fought back to become a key man for the manager.

Watch Manchester United take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday on Sky Sports Premier League from 7.30pm; kick-off at 8pm.