Manchester United defender Luke Shaw put in a well-rounded performance against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon
Luke Shaw of Manchester United arrives ahead of the Premier League match against Crystal Palace(Image: Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has proved Gary Neville wrong after the pundit issued a scathing review of his performances this week.
United got back to winning ways on Sunday afternoon with a comeback victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Despite conceding a first-half penalty, scored by Jean-Philippe Mateta, second-half strikes from Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount earned a crucial three points for Ruben Amorim‘s side.
It was also a much-needed win after a run of three games without one. Recent draws against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest were compounded on Monday night by a dismal 1-0 defeat against 10-man Everton.
During the loss at Old Trafford, Neville did not hold back in his criticism of Shaw. “You have Shaw, [Leny] Yoro and [Matthijs] De Ligt behind the ball,” the former United defender said on commentary at the time.
“Shaw is getting forward more, but he’s ambling forward, let’s be clear. He’s been bugging me for the last 20 minutes. He’s ambling, you can’t do that.
“He should be running forward every single time, I don’t care. Yoro, I have a little bit more sympathy for, but Shaw? That’s a waste of time. I don’t care. It’s a waste of time. It’s not conning anybody. I’m not having it.”
Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw
Against Palace this weekend, it was a far more assured display from Shaw as United eventually secured all three points. Aside from a late booking, the defender was a key reason the scoreline wasn’t more damning at the break, producing a crucial blocks to keep out the Palace forwards as they piled on the pressure after taking the lead.
In his 82 minutes on the pitch, Shaw made three interceptions, three clearances, blocked one shot and recorded three recoveries. He also won 50 per cent of the ground and aerial duels he contested.
He was then replaced with just under 10 minutes left to play, with Lisandro Martinez coming on to make a long-awaited return from injury. The defender had been sidelined since February with an ACL injury.
The result leaves Amorim’s side just outside the Champions League places in seventh, but only a point off the top four. They return to action midweek with the visit of West Ham to Old Trafford, before games against Wolves, Bournemouth, Aston Villa and Newcastle.
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