Defender Luke Shaw supports coach Rúben Amorim’s tough approach at the fallen Manchester United. According to the left-back, there was a “toxic” culture in the club’s dressing room.
“It’s not hard to see from the outside how it has been,” Shaw told the BBC on Wednesday. Manchester United has been in a downward spiral for some time, but last season it went from bad to worse for the record champion, with a fifteenth-place finish in the Premier League as a low point.
“Much of the time that I’ve been here in recent years, it’s been extremely negative,” said Shaw, who has played for United since 2014. “The culture here can be quite toxic, it’s not healthy at all. Whereas we need an environment that is healthy and positive and radiates energy and happiness.”
Shaw did not mention names, but according to English media, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and the Dutch left-back Tyrell Malacia created a bad atmosphere in United’s dressing room. They were all loaned out last season, except for Garnacho.
Amorim had previously questioned Rashford’s commitment in training by saying that he would put his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach on the bench rather than the England international. Rashford recently moved to FC Barcelona on loan. Garnacho, Sancho and Antony also appear to be on their way out. Malacia’s future is still uncertain.
‘He doesn’t care who the player is’
According to Shaw, Amorim is very concerned with the culture in the dressing room. “He makes demands. Mentality is an important thing. He talks about it a lot. He demands 100 percent and wants nothing less. If someone performs 85 to 90 percent, that’s not enough. You don’t play if you don’t do the right things.”
“The manager doesn’t care who the player is. That’s how it should be. The players want to perform and are fully behind him. The more experienced players need to demand more, day in and day out. We need to hold players to the times when we do things and make sure no one is late.”
The thirty-year-old Shaw does regret his statements after the lost Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur in May. He then wondered aloud whether he and his teammates were good enough to play for Manchester United.
“Many people after that final, and after that year, didn’t know what the next season would look like. We have to be open and honest about that. None of us were good enough. I also had such a terrible year. I was just angry about everything. That’s why I did the interview and said what I said.”
Manchester United hopes to find its way up next season. The club has already made two top purchases in the transfer market. Attackers Matheus Cunha (Wolverhampton Wanderers) and Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) both came to Old Trafford for 75 million euros.