Rio Ferdinand has hailed the remarkable return to form of Luke Shaw at Manchester United, saying the full-back looked ‘broken down mentally’ at times during his career at Old Trafford.
The 25-year-old has regularly suffered with injuries since arriving at Manchester United back in 2014 and rarely been able to string together a consistent run in the first team.
He has found fitness and form this season, though, and has been one of the Red Devils’ standout performers under Old Gunnar Solskjaer.
The England international shined again, scoring a rare goal in a victory over Manchester City at the weekend and he has earned wild praise from Manchester United icons.
Ferdinand was keen to point out how far he has climbed from very deep low points in his United career, telling Vibe With Five: ‘We have to look at where he has come from by the way.
‘This was a kid who was broken down mentally, it seemed, it looked like he was on the scrap heap at United. Jose Mourinho when he was there, absolutely discarded him. The kid was a broken man.
‘He has come back from the depths to now being one of the most important players at Man United in the way that they’re playing. You have to commend him for that.’
Gary Neville feels Shaw should be playing for England at the European Championships this summer, saying on the Gary Neville Podcast for Sky Sports: ‘He has been outstanding this season for United.
‘A Luke Shaw that is fit, a Luke Shaw that is physically good and a Luke Shaw that is confident is the best left-back in the country in my opinion.
‘He is physically right, he is mentally right and he is clear of injury, so everything is right for Luke Shaw. Because he is an amazing talent, he is a brilliant talent.’
Solskjaer admitted that Shaw nearly missed the impressive 2-0 win over City on Sunday as he was once again a fitness doubt, but he came through and performed admirably.
‘He was a massive doubt until after the warm-up, he needed the warm-up to be cleared to play,’ said the Norwegian.
‘Luke’s performance was top. He’s aggressive, hard to play one against one and when he goes forward on those runs he’s unstoppable.
‘He’s improved so much, he’s improving all the time and we’re delighted for him.’
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