Manchester United’s pre-season clash with Leeds may have ended in a goalless draw, but it was anything but uneventful behind the scenes. New manager Rúben Amorim has reportedly been left deeply frustrated with Luke Shaw’s underwhelming display in the match, casting fresh doubt over the defender’s role in the team moving forward. Shaw, valued at around £20 million, had a golden chance to impress the new boss — and it seems he let it slip.
Sources close to the club say Amorim made no attempt to hide his disappointment in the dressing room after the game. His assessment of Shaw was brutally honest, allegedly describing him as too slow, lacking sharpness, and showing none of the urgency expected from a player trying to stake a claim in the starting XI. The manager was reportedly so unimpressed that he told staff he might no longer have a place for the England international in his plans.
Shaw’s performance did little to counter that criticism. During the game, he was repeatedly caught in possession, looked sluggish on the turn, failed to track back effectively, and didn’t offer much when United moved forward. While it was just a pre-season match, Amorim views these games as crucial tests of character, intensity, and tactical discipline — areas in which Shaw fell short.
Reactions on social media have been swift and ruthless. Many United supporters echoed Amorim’s sentiment, accusing Shaw of being slow and complacent — even in a friendly. Some fans have gone as far as suggesting that it’s time the club moved on from the 28-year-old, calling for the recruitment of a younger, more reliable option at left-back. The noise is growing louder, and it’s not in Shaw’s favour.
Over the years, Shaw has had moments of brilliance, particularly during Euro 2020 and in United’s 2020/21 campaign. However, those flashes have been too rare and often disrupted by injury. The issue now isn’t just his fitness or form — it’s the perception that he’s no longer matching the pace or hunger needed to thrive under a demanding manager like Amorim.
With United actively scouting fresh options like Miguel Gutiérrez and Milos Kerkez, and with Tyrell Malacia still recovering from injury, Shaw’s place is far from secure. If he fails to improve quickly in the next pre-season matches, there’s a growing belief that United could welcome offers for him before the transfer window closes.
This may not yet be the end of Luke Shaw’s time at Old Trafford, but the warning signs are clear. Under Amorim’s no-nonsense leadership, reputations mean little — and performances speak loudest. Shaw’s recent display was quiet in all the wrong ways, and unless something changes soon, his future at the club could be hanging by a thread.
