Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has heaped praise on the club’s longest-serving player ahead of the Premier League trip to Ipswich Town on Sunday.
The Red Devils restart their campaign against the Tractor Boys at Portman Road. It will be Amorim’s first game in the dugout, having taken charge during the international break.
Amorim did not provide an extensive team news update yesterday. However, he confirmed that Luke Shaw needs more time to get back to match fitness.
He told Manutd.com: “Luke [Shaw], for example, is feeling fine, but we have to build his fitness during games, so we have to be careful.
“I think he’s a very good player, so I will take care of him and I want these kinds of players that are important in our squad for a long period and not just for a game.”
The £23 million-rated star has not played a competitive game for United this season due to muscular injuries. He sustained a setback during his first pre-season training session.
Shaw had an equally disappointing 2023/24 campaign with 15 appearances. Amorim will be aware of this, and he is unlikely to rush him back.
United face Ipswich tomorrow, and Amorim is expected to play with his preferred 3-4-3 formation.
The manager has already hinted that he could play with full-backs in the wing-back positions, as the current wingers in the squad will need to adapt to extra defensive duties.
Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui are poised to start. The latter could feature as the left wing-back, having impressed with his ball control and inverting runs into midfield.
Dalot has often been caught out of position when playing on the left side of the backline.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.