Manchester United star Luke Shaw is reportedly fuming over Ruben Amorim’s decision to exclude the defender from a six-man leadership group. As the club’s longest-serving player, Shaw is said to feel strongly that he should have been included.
Club captain Bruno Fernandes is joined by five team-mates in a group Amorim hopes will restore order to the United dressing room. Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot and even third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton have been named in the leadership group. England international Shaw has reportedly not taken kindly to the snub.
According to The Sun, the left-back is ‘fuming’ with Amorim and believes he should have been included. Shaw has spent 11 years at Old Trafford, having been signed from Southampton for £30million as a 19-year-old.
Amorim reportedly hopes Shaw’s feelings will wear off ahead of the new season. The report also claims that teenage defender Leny Yoro came close to being included in the leadership group, which may have strengthened Shaw’s displeasure.
Yoro is said to be viewed as a potential United legend by the United boss. A key role in the Red Devils’ back three awaits for the Frenchman this season, likely alongside Matthijs de Ligt, who has impressed in pre-season.
Meanwhile, Shaw has publicly praised Amorim for weeding out ‘stragglers’ this summer. It was an intriguing comment given that United’s only first-team departure this summer is that of his England team-mate Marcus Rashford.
However, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia have also formed a ‘bomb squad’ of United stars who have been told they have no future at the club. Garnacho is reportedly close to joining Chelsea.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Shaw said of Amorim: "I think his mentality, his demands [show he's the right man]. He's extremely tough on the group. He leaves no stone unturned and I think there are no stragglers in this group anymore. I think everyone has to put the team first. He's made that very clear.
"I think he's picking players on how he feels will be best for the team and that's his choice. As players, we're fully behind him and fully behind on his ideas and what he wants to implement in this team. We feel like a real team, especially this pre-season.
"Since I've been back, the group is so together and I think that's something that we need to keep to make us more of a family and everyone all together and we're all driving in the same direction."