United Legends Endorse Luke Shaw

Manchester United's 19-year-old left-back Luke Shaw has already convinced Reds legends Denis Irwin and Arthur Albiston that he will become an indispensable cog in Louis van Gaal’s evolving machine at Old Trafford.

A hamstring injury meant Shaw did not make his debut until 27 September and, after a run of seven outings, the England international then suffered ankle ligament damage that kept him out until the goalless draw at Tottenham Hotspur on 28 December. Now back in the team and edging closer to full fitness, United’s summer signing from Southampton hopes to shine in the second half of the season.

According to Albiston, who made 485 appearances over a 14 season reign in M16, Shaw has all of the raw materials needed to enjoy a fruitful career in a red shirt. “We have seen him play over the last two or three seasons in Southampton's first team, but prior to that in the Academy teams and he always looked like a Rolls Royce kind of player,” he told United Review.

“He has got a great physique on him, he looks so smooth in the way he runs and he's comfortable on the ball when going forward. He reminds me a little bit of Stuart Pearce because he will give you a kick when he needs to, so there is no problem there. He can play here for the next 10 years if he stays fit.

“I think in every game he has played, at least when he has been fit, he has looked more and more confident. Obviously, getting a move to a club of this size is a little bit different to playing at Southampton. You are always expected to play well here, win matches and then lift trophies as well.

“But Luke will get used to that without a problem. He has also got himself into the international set-up and I am sure he will become a fixture for England over the next 10 to 15 years. All in all, he is making great progress and I am sure there is still a lot to come from him.”

Shaw became the youngest player at the 2014 World Cup by starting England’s goalless draw with Costa Rica, playing a full match and helping to keep a clean sheet alongside future United team-mates Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. Just three days later, his transfer to Old Trafford was confirmed, beginning a new chapter for the teenager from Kingston upon Thames.

“He had a whirlwind two months when he signed for us after playing at the World Cup, which is a lot to take on for a 19-year-old,” explains Irwin, who set superior levels of quality and consistency throughout his 12-season career with the Reds. “It took him a while to settle and realise what the club is all about, which is why pre-season is a good time to sign players.

“Injuries held him back a bit but once he got in, he looked really strong and don’t forget he is only a boy. He has been very unfortunate with injuries, but he will be a fantastic player for us. I guarantee you that. I have no doubt at all that he will be our first-choice left-back for years to come.”

One of Irwin’s best attributes was his unerring ability to register well over 40 or 50 appearances a season – even notching 62 outings in the 1993/94 campaign. Although Shaw’s Reds career has been disrupted by injury thus far, the Irishman is convinced he will dominate the left-back position.

“You get to a certain age and you are very comfortable in what happens around you on a football field,” Irwin says. “You only get that through experience of playing games and going through the torture of making mistakes, so you get to a level in your mid-twenties when you have been in every situation before and you have learned how to deal with it.

“You can find consistency when you get older - it is very hard for young players to find it because they are still growing. Luke Shaw will be a top player for United, make no mistake.”

Given that Shaw’s career has progressed at breakneck speed, only a fool would bet against him realising his dreams in the Theatre which nurtures them.