- Shaw has been out of action since February
- A major doubt for England at the Euros
- Penned an emotional note on Instagram
WHAT HAPPENED?
With injuries plaguing his campaign, Shaw’s prospects of representing England in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament remain uncertain. The left-back has been sidelined since suffering a significant injury setback in February during a match against Luton Town. This incident marked the second major disruption of his season, following an earlier muscle injury that had already limited his appearances.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Over the course of the 2023-24 season, Shaw managed to feature in just 12 Premier League matches under manager Erik ten Hag. Despite these challenges, he was included in England’s preliminary squad for Euro 2024 with the hope that he will win the race against time to recover from the injury before June 7.
WHAT SHAW SAID
In the wake of United’s 2-1 FA Cup final triumph against Manchester City, Shaw took to Instagram and expressed his feelings while also updating about his injury status. He wrote: “Happy for the boys to lift the trophy at the weekend and finish this season on a positive. As much as it was the result I wanted it was hard to watch from the stands. This has definitely been the most frustrating season for me, I have had set back after set back and have worked so hard to get back to fitness but things just haven’t gone my way. I pushed so hard to get back before the end of the season and the final but some things just aren’t meant to be.
“There’s nothing I want to do more than play and win with @manchesterunited I don’t normally react to things I see on social media but there’s a lot of people questioning my loyalty to this club and asking how I am fit for England but not United. The reality is I am not 100% fit for either right now but I am doing everything I can and constantly working to be. I have been at this club for 10 years through highs and lows and for anyone to question my loyalty is obviously frustrating. I appreciate I haven’t updated you all with my injuries and where I’m at with my recovery but equally the most important thing to me is that we’re supporting the team playing. My biggest focus right now is being fit and then whatever happens this summer I will be ready. Thank you for your patience ❤️”
WHAT NEXT FOR SHAW?
England manager Gareth Southgate has acknowledged the uphill battle Shaw faces to make the Euro 2024 squad. When selecting the full-back in provisional squad, Southgate described Shaw’s chances of playing in Germany as a “long shot,” citing the defender’s extensive absence from competitive play.
“He’s up against it,” he said. “He’s missed a lot of football. The fact he’s been our first choice in that position means we’re giving him a bit longer than we might have done and I’m not sure what’s realistic at this moment in time.”
For Shaw, the immediate focus remains on regaining full fitness, with the hope that his efforts will be rewarded with a spot in the final England squad for the summer tournament.
