Luke Shaw is one of the big success stories of Manchester United’s 2025/26 season. Let’s enjoy it while it lasts.
Manchester United fans have sympathy for Luke Shaw because of the horrific injury he suffered back in 2015. But a decade on, the well-wishes only extend so far.
For the past two seasons Luke Shaw has been infuriating due to his lack of availability.
He missed large chunks of the 2023/24 season before returning to play for England at Euro 2024. Shaw then suffered an injury in pre-season before 2024/25 even began.
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Luke Shaw playing against Wolves
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Shaw continued to struggle with injury before returning to score an own goal in the Europa League Final. It capped a miserable two years at club level.
In 2025/26, Luke Shaw has become Manchester United’s own Mr Dependable, starting in every Premier League game.
It is remarkable turn of events that nobody would have predicted – except for the cynics that would point out Shaw’s improved fitness is totally predictable in a World Cup year, with his place on the line.
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The Manchester United defender also has the talent, and his backers also hope that it was only a matter of time before his bad luck was offset by a proper run of form and fitness.
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Patrick Dorgu celebrates with his teammates during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle United.
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Luke Shaw’s impressive numbers
The numbers behind Luke Shaw’s impact for Manchester United are truly impressive.
In 2025/26 to date, Shaw has played a total of 1,916 minutes for Manchester United.
By comparison in 2023/24 and 2024/25 combined, Luke Shaw played a total of 1,771 minutes. It is an impressive turnaround.
Shaw is averaging a staggering 87 minutes per start this season, playing more than 80 minutes in every single game he has started barring one. He has completed the full 90 minutes 14 times out of 22.
These numbers would be impressive for any player, let alone one with Shaw’s problematic injury record.
During the last two seasons alone he has missed more than 70 matches in all competitions for United.
His 22 Premier League starts are more than the 16 league starts he made across the past two seasons.
This season he is a near ever-present, rested recently for the FA Cup defeat to Brighton, before returning with a flourish in the Manchester Derby victory.
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Manchester United v Real Sociedad de Futbol - UEFA Europa League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg
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Luke Shaw’s perfect conditions
It would be remiss not to point out that the conditions for Luke Shaw have been absolutely perfect this season, and he faces two new challenges.
Shaw has benefitted from Manchester United not playing twice-a-week, due to early cup exits and no European football.
He also benefited from Manchester United’s system under Ruben Amorim, where he was playing as a centre-back rather than asked to play wing-back.
This has required Shaw to cover less distance up and down the pitch, however, this experiment is now at an end.
Shaw has reverted to left-back in Michael Carrick‘s flat back-four, which will ask more of him going forward. That is the first obstacle to overcome.
The second challenge will come again next season, when Manchester United hopefully have European football back on offer.
If he gets called up to the World Cup squad too, Shaw will be taken straight back into the intensive schedule that saw him break down before.
Manchester United must plan accordingly, and not expect a repeat of 2025/26.
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