Shaw: I know what’s needed from a United player

The 25-year-old has been a Red for six-and-a-half years now and while he's been incredibly unlucky with injuries at points, Luke has also been one of our most consistent and reliable performers during his prolonged spell in the side.

Shaw recently sat down with club media to reflect on a year of ups and downs, and revealed how he does all he can to help the younger members of the squad.

"I’ve been here a while now and I know what’s needed here," he told the Wolves edition of United Review. 

"I’m one of the more experienced ones in the changing room. I feel like I can help out with some of the young lads. I know what they’re going through and I know I can give them advice that’s needed to help them push on. It’s nice that I can be one of those people who, having been here for a while, that can give more in in the dressing room."

Looking back on a very strange 12 months for the world, Luke added: "I don’t think we’ll have a weirder year than we have this year. We had a lot of time off which was very different. Of course it was time to relax and enjoy some family time which was nice because we couldn’t even move out of the house really. But I think it also showed how much we missed football and how much we love football because it was very hard without it. 

"I think I can speak on behalf all of the lads and say we were all missing it very much and I’m sure the fans were as well. It shows how much football means to us and it’s just nice to be back. With what’s going on now and COVID still being quite bad, it’s just nice to still be able to play.

"Personally, of course, having a young, little child running about the house is indescribable; it’s been amazing!," he added. "Football-wise there have been a lot of ups and downs but, as we come into the back of the year now, we’re starting to see improvements and hopefully we can maintain some consistency and improve into the new year."

As well as maintaining consistency in the league, the Reds have two important cup competitions on the horizon, with a Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City at Old Trafford and an FA Cup third-round tie at home to Watford, both to come next week.

After the Reds suffered semi-final heartbreak three times last season, Luke says everyone is determined to go at least one, ideally two, steps further this time around.

"Yes of course. No team wants to say we were going in the right direction but lost three semi-finals," he declared. "From a team perspective it [getting to them] was definitely an improvement, but it’s not good enough losing them.

"I feel like the experience of those made us realise what we need to improve and what we need to do to take that extra step. Hopefully now we’ve learnt. Right now we’re in a really good moment and we just need to keep going and keep working hard, and I think we’re in the race for the title too.

"It’s crazy this season; it’s very close. If we win our game in hand we’re maybe only a few points behind first and especially over this Christmas period if anyone wants to mount a title charge then now would be the time to do it," he insisted.

"We’ve got so many games so close together and if someone gets a good run together and I believe we can do that, then the team that comes out of this period with wins will be in a very good position to carry that on towards the end of the season."

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