Transfer Tales: Shaw’s move to United

The defender became one of the world’s most expensive teenagers at the time, signing a four-year contract with the option of a further year. 

Since his first visit to Carrington as an 18-year-old on that day in late-June, Shaw has overcome various setbacks, including a double leg fracture in the opening weeks of his second season as a Red, to develop into one of the most highly regarded left-backs in world football. 

In total, our no.23 has made 186 appearances for United over the last seven years and has won the FA Cup, Community Shield, EFL Cup and Europa League in his Old Trafford career to date. 

Having been named our Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year in 2018/19, Shaw claimed the latter accolade for the second time in three seasons last month and is now away representing England in this summer’s European Championship. 

After being released by Chelsea at the age of eight, Shaw joined Southampton’s academy where he would progress through the youth ranks and make his first-team debut for the Saints under Nigel Adkins in 2012. 

Following the club’s promotion to the Premier League at the end of that season, the defender was offered his first professional contract and it wasn’t long before he became a regular in the Saints XI. 

In 2013/14, his performances earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year while his club form was rewarded with a first senior England call-up, and a debut from the bench in a friendly against Denmark, at the age of just 18. 

That summer, Shaw was part of Roy Hodgson’s 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and was the youngest player to feature in the tournament when he got the nod against Costa Rica in the Three Lions’ final Group D fixture. 

United then agreed a deal with Southampton for Shaw in the days after England’s group-stage exit, with the full-back becoming new manager Louis van Gaal’s second signing in as many days after Ander Herrera had joined 24 hours earlier from Athletic Bilbao. 

"I am thrilled and excited to be joining Manchester United,” Luke said upon becoming a Red back in 2014. 

“I have been at Southampton since I was eight years old, and I would like to thank them and the fans for everything they have done for me.

"I want to continue to progress my career and joining United is the ideal place for me to do that. 

“I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life and also looking forward to learning from the world-class players and management at the club.”

Shaw went on to make his competitive debut for the Reds in the following weeks, donning the no.3 shirt, in a 2-1 win over West Ham in the Premier League. 

WHAT THEY SAID 

Ryan Giggs: "Luke is a very talented young left-back with great potential. He has developed immensely during his time at Southampton and has all the attributes to become a top player. I am delighted he has joined Manchester United as I believe this is the right club for him to continue his development as a young player and eventually fulfill that promise."

Les Reed (Former Executive Director at Southampton): “Luke joined us at the age of eight, and our academy staff and coaches have helped him to progress into a top-class player. He will leave our club and carry forward our top-class pedigree, as others have done before.”

Sky Sports: “Veteran Patrice Evra signed a one-year contract extension in May but United had been keen to secure a long-term replacement for the Frenchman, especially after Alex Buttner agreed to join Dinamo Moscow earlier this week. Shaw and Herrera appear to be just the start of van Gaal's rebuilding job, as the Dutchman looks to banish the memory of last season's seventh-place finish.”