What a few months it has been for Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw has signed a bumper new five-year contract at Manchester United believed to be worth £195,000-per-week, representing an astonishing and admirable turnaround for the 23-year-old.
Not long ago, Luke Shaw was something of a laughing stock in certain quarters. The left-back, who joined Manchester United in 2014 with a reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in the world, was derided for his form, his weight and the fact that Ashley Young – a right-footed winger converted into a left-back, had taken his place in the team.
Shaw’s struggles dated back to his horrific leg break against PSV Eindhoven in a Champions League game in September 2015 which kept him out until April of the following year and at times left him wondering if he would ever play again.
The road to recovery was a slow one as Shaw visibly struggled to reach the level he had before, something exacerbated by the money spent on him by Manchester United and his lofty reputation of old.
There was persistent talk of a feud of sorts with manager Jose Mourinho, who once told journalists after an impressive Shaw performance: “It was his body with my brain – I made every decision for him”. Hardly massive encouragement.
In recent months, though, things have begun to take a notable upturn for Shaw, who has arguably been one of Manchester United’s brightest stars in what has been a hugely underwhelming beginning to their season.
United supporters have been delighted to see him back to his marauding best, committing to attack s and as solid as ever in defence, and even popping up with his first league goal for the club.
Clearly, the powers that be now recognise that the future of their left-back position lies with someone within, rather than outside of the club. In fact, with Jesse Lingard reported to earn 75,0000-a-week and Marcus Rashford to receive 55,000-a-week, the deal means he will now be earning more than the two England stars combined.
