Luke Shaw hits out at critics with injury update after Man Utd FA Cup win

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has revealed he is “not 100% fit” despite being named in England’s provisional squad for this summer’s European Championships.

The 28-year-old’s inclusion in the Three Lions’ initial 33-man squad by manager Gareth Southgate was met with a barrage of criticism due to not featuring for United since February’s 2-1 win at Luton Town. In total, the defender has played just 15 times for Erik ten Hag’s side this season.

Shaw, though, who has been sidelined with a muscle injury, has defended his absence over the last three months and insisted he is “constantly working” to be fit, but admitted speculation about his loyalty to United is “frustrating”.

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Posting on Instagram on Sunday, Shaw wrote: “Happy for the boys to lift the trophy at the weekend and finish this season on a positive. As much as it was the result I wanted it was hard to watch from the stands.

“This has definitely been the most frustrating season for me, I have had set back after set back and have worked so hard to get back to fitness but things just haven’t gone my way. I pushed so hard to get back before the end of the season and the final but some things just aren’t meant to be.

“There’s nothing I want to do more than play and win with Manchester United I don’t normally react to things I see on social media but there’s a lot of people questioning my loyalty to this club and asking how I am fit for England but not United. The reality is I am not 100% fit for either right now but I am doing everything I can and constantly working to be. I have been at this club for 10 years through highs and lows and for anyone to question my loyalty is obviously frustrating.

“I appreciate I haven’t updated you all with my injuries and where I’m at with my recovery but equally the most important thing to me is that we’re supporting the team playing. My biggest focus right now is being fit and then whatever happens this summer I will be ready. Thank you for your patience.”

Southgate, who overlooked Shaw’s United team-mate Marcus Rashford, will trim England’s squad to 26 after friendlies against Iceland and Bosnia and Herzegovina next month. However, the Three Lions boss accepted that selecting Shaw was a “long shot”.