Sometimes football players produce the best quotes when they’re on international duty.
They are away from club commitments and can speak freely, just as Manchester United defender Luke Shaw did after England’s game against Iceland at the weekend.
“No one knows the situation, what’s been happening,” said Shaw about his injuries. “I think people have seen there was a setback, but I was actually very close to returning to team training. I was, of course, pushing to try and get back for the games and the final and I think I pushed too hard.
“I came back too quick and I actually ended up getting another injury in my hamstring, which was three weeks from the final and they said it was a six-week injury.”
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A candid Shaw continued: “So that’s why there was that setback. I think people have been getting confused about what’s actually happened because nothing had been said. I got a few people coming up to me, saying: ‘How can you not be fit for United but fit for England?’
“But the circumstances were that I did push to do everything I can to be fit for United, and that’s been really my whole season. It’s been disappointing for me. But I want to do everything I can, first and foremost, for United. It’s better for me to come out and say what happened.
“I think there were a lot of questions over how I could be here and not United. That’s been playing on my mind a little bit because I don’t want people thinking that that’s what I’m doing.”
Shaw last played for United on February 18 against Luton Town. He was substituted at half-time during that game and, a few days later, this correspondent argued that he’d been mismanaged by Erik ten Hag and the medical staff, who shouldn’t have allowed him to play.
Just a week before facing Luton, Shaw had been substituted at half-time against Aston Villa as a precaution and starting him at Kenilworth Road was an unnecessary risk.
Shaw passed a late fitness test to feature against Luton but his body broke down again and he wasn’t seen for the remainder of the season. United’s medical team shouldn’t have given him the green light to play and Shaw admitted that himself when on England duty.
“I felt something against Aston Villa and came off at half-time at Villa Park,” he said. “It’s kind of everyone’s fault. Partly my fault, partly medical staff, I think everyone would admit that.
“I didn’t train the whole week. The scan came back and there wasn’t too much there. But I didn’t train all week, then trained the day before the game. If the manager asks me to play, I’m never going to say no. I shouldn’t have played.”
Shaw made just 12 starts in the Premier League last season and his prolonged absence was one of many factors that contributed to a bleak campaign for United in the top flight.
United went most of the season without their senior left-backs, Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. Ten Hag was forced to contend with an unprecedented injury crisis – there were over 60 separate cases of injury or illness – and the defensive options were particularly impacted.
Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans and Aaron Wan-Bissaka all spent time on the sidelines with different injuries and INEOS’ end-of-season review, which is set to deliver a decision on Ten Hag’s future, has looked into the injury crisis that ravaged the squad.
Ten Hag didn’t bring a fitness coach to Manchester when he was appointed from Ajax and there have been concerns over the intensity of his training sessions in relation to injuries.
The Dutchman is not blameless for the injury crisis last season and there is an element of bad luck to consider, but the bulk of the blame must lie at the door of the club’s medical staff – they have presided over an injury-blighted season and changes must be made to personnel.
Gary O’Driscoll joined United from Arsenal to become head of sports medicine in September and Jordan Reece, also formerly of Arsenal, is set to join as head physio. Robin Sadler was previously head physio but left United in February as part of O’Driscoll’s changes.
United have looked to strengthen their medical department and further changes could be made if Ten Hag is sacked and a new manager arrives with a few of his staff members.
On the evidence of last season, an overhaul of the medical department is overdue.