Luke Shaw: Wayne Rooney makes bold claim about United star | OneFootball

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has lavished praise on Luke Shaw following an impressive season. The English left-back’s injury troubles have made headlines in recent years, but he appears to have finally put them behind him.

Shaw arrived at Old Trafford from Southampton in the summer of 2014 as one of the brightest young full-backs in the country. Unfortunately, the player has endured an injury-riddled spell at the Theatre of Dreams so far.

Shaw’s tenure at Old Trafford started with a hamstring injury, but he showed promise in his debut campaign. However, the player suffered a horrific double leg-break in September 2015 against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League and subsequently missed the rest of the season.

The Englishman has since struggled to stay fit, although he did show signs of revival under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Shaw also made 47 appearances for United in the 2022/23 season during Erik ten Hag’s reign, before injuries struck again.

The 30 year old missed 103 games for club and country over the last two campaigns due to various fitness issues. However, Shaw has emerged as a key player for United this season, first under former head coach Ruben Amorim and then under Michael Carrick.

Shaw was indispensable for United this season

Shaw started all 38 Premier League games this season, becoming only the fifth player in the club’s history to achieve that feat. The Englishman began the campaign as a left-sided centre-back in Amorim’s 3-4-3 system and looked comfortable in the position.

After the Portuguese head coach lost his job in January, United reverted to a 4-2-3-1 formation under Carrick. Shaw moved to his natural left-back position and continued his impressive run in the team.

The Englishman registered one goal and one assist this season, scoring his first goal in three years against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford earlier this month.

Luke Shaw Stats: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

While Shaw’s contract expires at the end of next season, his recent performances suggest there is still a lot of football left in him. The English full-back’s efforts have now earned him praise from his former team-mate and United legend Wayne Rooney.

Rooney hails Shaw

Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, the former United skipper named Shaw as his most improved player of the season. He said: “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most-improved player this season.”

“I know he’s an experienced player now but I think his level this season has been much better than they have been in recent seasons. People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved it was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Rooney also hailed United skipper Bruno Fernandes as his player of the year, adding: “I am delighted for Bruno. He has been fantastic this season.”

“For me he’s been the [Premier League] player of the year [because of] the influence he has, how driven he is and he’s scored a few goals as well. He has been the heartbeat of that team.”

Final Thoughts

There is no doubt that Shaw can be an asset to the team if he manages to stay fit throughout the season. However, the Englishman will turn 31 this summer, so United have to put succession plans in place for the left-back position soon.

Featured image by Alex Livesey/Getty Images

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