Luke Shaw Supports Ruben Amorim's Approach to Revitalize Manchester United's Culture

Luke Shaw Supports Ruben Amorim's Approach to Revitalize Manchester United's Culture

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has expressed his support for head coach Ruben Amorim's strict approach to transforming the "toxic" and "unhealthy" culture at the club.

Following United's Europa League final defeat to Tottenham in May, Shaw openly questioned the capability of himself and his teammates, a statement that faced criticism from former captain Gary Neville. Reflecting on his comments, Shaw explained that they were fueled by the intense emotions he experienced in the aftermath of the devastating loss, which dashed United's hopes of European qualification after a disappointing 15th-place finish in the Premier League.

In response to the defeat, Amorim committed to elevating the standards within the dressing room, excluding five senior players, including Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, from the squad.

"It's not hard to see from the outside what it's been like," Shaw remarked. "For much of my time here in recent years, the environment has been extremely negative. It can be quite toxic and unhealthy. We need an environment that is healthy, positive, and filled with good energy and happiness. When you have those elements, you feel free and can express yourself more."

Shaw praised Amorim's emphasis on mentality and high demands. "Ruben demands 100% effort and accepts nothing less. If someone is only giving 85-90%, it's not enough. Especially this year, if you're not doing the right things, you won't play," he stated.

At 30, Shaw believes that United's senior players, including himself, must reinforce this message. "The more experienced players need to be demanding more, day in and day out," he said. "Maintaining training levels, adhering to schedules, and ensuring punctuality are crucial. The manager is indifferent to a player's status; he cares about performance. Whatever he wants, we must deliver, and we fully support that."

Shaw refrained from mentioning United's so-called 'bomb squad'—Rashford, Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, and Antony—in his assessment, clarifying that he wasn't placing all the blame on them, considering four of these players were not part of the squad for the latter half of last season.

During a separate conversation at a Premier League event in Chicago, Shaw emphasized that there are "no stragglers in this group anymore," and Amorim has made it clear that "everyone needs to put the team first."

Despite this, Shaw, United's longest-serving player, acknowledged that the aftermath of the final defeat in Bilbao left the club in a negative state, creating uncertainty about the future among Amorim's squad. "I wouldn't say I regret what I said, but right after the game, emotions run high, and you speak without thinking," he admitted. "After that final and the entire season, many of us were unsure about what the next season would bring. We need to be open and honest about that. None of us were good enough."

Shaw also reflected on his personal struggles, stating, "I had an awful year. I was angry about everything, which is why I did the interview and said what I said."

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