It’s been a tough spell for Luke Shaw since he broke his leg two seasons ago. He’s struggled with fitness, his confidence is shot and a string of managers have questioned whether or not he can cut it at the top level. To make matters worse, he’s also at the bottom of the pecking order too, with Jose Mourinho opting for the services of Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind instead, as well as natural midfielder Ashley Young.

In recent months there have also been rumours that his days at Manchester United are numbered, with a January loan move to Newcastle being a possibility. With 2018 being a World Cup year and his chances being limited, it’s looking less and less likely that he will be in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, especially with Young earning himself a recall this year.

For most people this level of scrutiny and pressure would understandably be too much to bear, yet for the second time in as many games, Luke Shaw has earned himself the Man of the Match award and given his manager a very welcome selection headache going forward - something that not many would have predicted at the start of the season.

"I am not saying he is first or second choice, Luke Shaw is an option,” said Mourinho. “People forget his history, a hard history with an incredible injury and more surgery last season. "I liked the standing ovation he got, it only helps the player."


Despite not completing the full 90 minutes in last night’s 1-0 victory against Bournemouth, Shaw will take solace in the fact that both his manager and the fans showed their appreciation of his performance. The 22-year-old was given a standing ovation by the Old Trafford faithful and, more importantly, the backing of his manager.