The Red Devils have scored four two games in a row, and one of the club’s most important players has spoken about the team’s improvement.
Luke Shaw was Manchester United’s best player in the 2020/21 season, but like the rest of the squad, the calamity of last season saw him drop off in performance levels – but Shaw is determined to rediscover the level that had many calling him the best left back in the world, and has been disappointed with how things turned out last season for the team.
Speaking to the club in an exclusive interview, Shaw said: “We can’t be satisfied anymore with how the team had been going.”
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United have gone trophyless since 2017.
“It’s not where the club should be,” The left back continued. ”We know the levels have had to take a massive step in terms of higher intensity and what we’re supposed to be doing and I think from the start of the last two weeks, especially in training, it’s definitely a big improvement.”
“And even in the games, I think you could see things that probably you haven’t seen before, so I think there are things to look forward to.”
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One of these noted changes has occurred in Shaw’s position. Ten Hag has been instructing his fullbacks to ‘invert’ when the side has possession, as seen in the club’s first two pre-season fixtures.
Essentially, the fullbacks are moving into almost wide central midfield positions to give United numerical superiority in this area, as well as protecting any potential transitions.
The Englishman went on to speak about Ten Hag’s plan. “I think the manager knows what the team needs and he has his own style and how he wants to manage and all the players have really taken it on board and they’re really enjoying it.
“He is very hands-on and he takes a lot of the sessions. He’s involved a lot and if he sees people aren’t hitting the standards that he wants in training he’ll make sure they know.
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“I think that’s good because he keeps the standards high.”
Shaw is not the only player to comment on Ten Hag’s strict approach so far.
“The manager demands more and we have to be better and better. After the first game he said to the press and he also said it to us as well that there were mistakes made that we need to improve on, not just individually but as a team as well.”
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Shaw proceeded to go into further depth regarding his demanding nature, “He’s spoken a lot about the team and the structure and the way he wants to play.”
The 27 year old touched on the detailed manner of his tactics “It’s a lot of details, but details win games and with his philosophy and the way he wants to play, we need to listen.”
“It’s really good to have an idea of what the manager wants and it’s down to us to go and show that on the pitch. And like I said, there is still much more to come from us and this is only the start.”
Shaw has been pleased with how pre-season has gone for him personally so far, “Last season was very disappointing, not just as a team but also individually for me, It wasn’t what people expect or what I expect and I think this season is another fresh start.”
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“Now it’s time for me to keep consistency and keep higher levels of performance week in, week out which I’ve spoken to the manager about already and that’s what he wants.”
Luke Shaw is one of a number of players looking to rediscover their previous best form, and believes United need to be looking towards the Brighton game on opening day.
“I think you need to have an eye on that Brighton match [already] because that’s the most important game that’s coming up,”
“Now, it’s all about preparation and getting the fitness work in and the game time, and obviously understanding the new set-up the manager wants on the pitch.”
“It’s about putting all that together and making sure we’re 100 per cent at our best when that first game comes because that’s the most important one.”
Topics: Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag, Luke Shaw, Premier League, Football
Yusuf Haq