Left-back issues warning and sets sight on Premier League title
Thursday 1 January 2015 12:24, UK
Luke Shaw is relieved to have finally recovered from his ankle injury and has set his sights on regaining his starting place at Manchester United before challenging title favourites Chelsea for the Premier League crown.
The England left-back made his first appearance since November in Sunday’s goalless draw at Tottenham, ending more than five weeks on the sidelines following his injury in United’s 2-1 victory at Arsenal.
And speaking ahead of Thursday’s clash with Stoke City, Shaw explained he has fully recovered and is prepared to compete for his position in the starting XI, which has been filled by Ashley Young in his absence.
“It feels good to be back, it’s frustrating to get injured but it is good to be back and involved with everyone,” he told Sky Sports.
“We’ve been doing really well recently so hopefully we can keep it up. I wasn’t too sure when I first did it (the injury), I thought it was going to be longer than what was actually said.
“Luckily enough it was only one of the ankle ligaments so we knew it would only take four weeks, so I’ve got back in the time that was said.
“Before the injury, I was starting to get comfortable and started feeling fitter, close to the way I was playing at Southampton, but I was unlucky with the ankle injury that I got. I’m hoping that now I can stay injury free and keep progressing as a player and hopefully get a run of games.
“The injuries that I have had have knocked me down a bit. It was seven or eight games that I played consecutively and then I’ve picked up another injury and now have to fight my way back into the team.
“But it’s something that is good for the team – competition around is always going to improve players and the team as a whole.
“Louis van Gaal has encouraged me a lot, he tends to not rush players back (from injury); he wants everyone to come back fit and strong and hopefully not to pick up any injuries.”
Shaw made the switch from Southampton to Old Trafford during the summer of 2014, becoming Van Gaal’s second signing at the start of his tenure at Old Trafford.
And the 19-year-old was full of praise for the Dutchman, who has weathered an early storm to lift United to third in the league at the turn of the year.
“He’s been really good with everyone. It’s something and that’s only good for the players as a whole, something that we are really happy with,” Shaw added.
“He is the same with everyone, he’s a manager that’s straight forward and will tell you how it is. We all know as players what we need to do and if he’s unhappy with you he will say it because it’s only going to improve you as a player.
“It was never going to be an easy start with the new manager coming in. There’s a new system that he wants to install with all of us and of course we’ve found that hard. But now we’ve been working hard in training and getting used to what we need to do.
“As you can see, the last 10 games we’ve gone on an unbeaten run but we want maximum points. We do not want to be picking up draws so it’s something that we are looking at to move forward.
“There’s a lot to come from this team. The players and manager have meetings and we watch back games and we know there’s more to come. We’re all still improving as players and obviously as a team so of course there is more to come from us.”
And Shaw also refused to rule out United’s chances of winning the Premier League title in his maiden season at Old Trafford.
“Yes, why not,” he added. “It’s a possibility because we’re only halfway through the season and there’s still another half to go, anything can happen.
“As a team we want to challenge for the title it’s something that we are looking at so hopefully we can keep going and wait for Chelsea to slip up and we’ll be there waiting.”
