“Never aware of his surroundings”, “Always napping isn’t he” – Manchester United fans furious with display from 27-year-old during 2-2 draw against Aston Villa
Manchester United threw away a two-goal lead in their draw against Aston Villa on July 23 to conclude their tour of Australia and lose their 100% pre-season record. The club's fans were understandably disappointed and the focus of their brunt was left-back Luke Shaw.
The Red Devils went two up into the break thanks to an excellent strike from Jadon Sancho and an own goal from Matty Cash.
United manager Erik ten Hag once again made a flurry of half-time changes.
Villa pulled one back just after the interval, thanks to a stunning solo effort from Leon Bailey. Then, some poor marking from a corner allowed Calum Chambers to score a header in injury time. It was enough to ensure that Ten Hag failed to win for the first time as Manchester United manager.
United fans were extremely unimpressed with their side's defending. They allowed Villa winger Bailey to run unchallenged from the halfway line before the Jamacian slotted home from outside the area.
Bailey attacked the right-hand side where Shaw should have been covering. However, the 27-year-old was caught napping while his team were on the attack and failed to get near the flying winger.
With the arrival of Feyenoord left-back Tyrell Malacia and current left-back Alex Telles, Shaw already faces plenty of competition this season. He did no favors to himself after his performance against Aston Villa.
Following the 2-2 draw in Perth, Manchester United supporters took to Twitter to criticize the England defender's performance:
Luke Shaw is always napping isn’t he.
Luke Shaw is getting nowhere near Bailey…
luke shaw to bailey every time he runs down the wing https://t.co/FlTQxesj60
Luke Shaw is never aware of his surroundings…
Luke Shaw is still obese ffs funs over
Luke Shaw and tracking back. ETH pointed out most goals conceded came from the left. Just a matter of time before he's dropped I reckon
No surprise that Luke Shaw is no where to be seen.
Dreadful defending all round.
Luke shaw trying to run https://t.co/NUXkDeVAEB
It's only pre-season, but Luke Shaw seems to have forgotten where left backs play again. Liability.
Former Manchester United star believes extra competition for places will help underfire defender
Despite Shaw going missing for Villa's first goal at the Optus Stadium, he did assist Sancho with a pinpoint cross to open the game's scoring.
Former Manchester United winger Ben Thornley was on commentary duties for the encounter. He seemed impressed with Shaw's first-half display before the defender's dreadful defending in the second period.
Thorney told MUTV that he thinks the extra competition at left-back will help Shaw's performances, as he stated:
"It's definitely healthy for the squad. You need to have competition, especially at the level where Manchester United want to be playing at, and where we are trying to get to."
He added:
"You need good players in all positions as it helps to spur you on. You know, if you're underperforming, then there's a good chance you could be out of the team. He did it before, Luke Shaw, when Alex Telles came in, and is showing signs of it again at the moment."
He then praised Shaw for his role in the first goal and went on to claim that he'll make the England squad for the World Cup later this year. He said:
"It was a really, really good overlap and a lovely ball to the back post. It's what he's become synonymous with and why, if he continues in this vein, he'll definitely be in the England squad for the World Cup."
Expect to see more of this from Donny Van de Beek to Anthony Martial to Bruno Fernandes to Marcus Rashford to Luke Shaw who finds Jadon Sancho with a lovely pass and Sancho finds the back of the net.
#MUNAVL #GGMU Manchester United is back #MUTOUR2022 https://t.co/S0V0xBEWZ6
The Red Devils concluded the Australian leg of their pre-season tour against Aston Villa. They will now take on Atletico Madrid at the Ullevaal Stadion in Norway on July 30.