I’M SHAW-FIRED UP
After being crocked for Reds’ Euro glory three years ago, Luke vows to go all the way this time
LUKE SHAW says missing out on Manchester United’s 2017 Europa League success is motivating him to lift the trophy this season.
The defender, 24, was sidelined by a foot injury when United beat Ajax in the final in Stockholm to complete a cup double in Jose Mourinho’s first season in charge (Shaw on crutches, right).
He also missed United’s EFL Cup triumph that season and their 2016 FA Cup success. Shaw remembers his team-mates’ celebrations and is desperate to experience that feeling for himself.
“It’s a massive ambition for me,” he said. “I was there for the Europa League final and the feeling, even though I wasn’t on the pitch, was a feeling I’ve not felt before and I want more of it.
“I wasn’t involved and that’s what is pushing me on even more to get into this final and others. We should be in finals and all competitions until the end. We are very confident at the moment.”
Shaw can expect to line up in tonight’s Europa League last-32, second leg against Bruges at Old Trafford, and has started United’s last six games. He has played in his familiar left-back role, as well as on the left of a three-man defence, and finally has some momentum in a stop-start Red Devils career.
Shaw joined United just before his 19th birthday for £27million in 2014, and says he has learned to toughen up mentally at Old Trafford to cope with all the knocks. “It’s completely different to other clubs when you sign that piece of paper here,” said Shaw, who played in United’s two Champions League groupstage wins over Bruges in 2015.
“You know how different it’s going to be and you have to be able to deal with it. If you’re not strong mentally and confident, you will struggle to deal with it.
“I’ve had a lot of stick and, if you come to Manchester United, you need to be able to take that because people are always ready to criticise you.
“There are only high standards here, so we need to be strong on that pitch, when it matters, and give it everything we’ve got.”
The Europa League offers United a route back into the Champions League and boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says it is vitally important they return after missing out this season cost them around £40million.
Solskjaer (above), who celebrated his 47th birthday by watching 19-year-old son Noah train at United’s academy last night, said: “We’re a big club and we’ve got good finances.
“But the longer you’re out, the more you suffer, so it’s an ambition to get back into the Champions League for footballing reasons, and financially, it’ll help the club.”
MAN UTD: Romero, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, Dalot, Fernandes, Mctominay, Mata, Williams, Lingard, Martial
BRUGES: Mignolet, C Mata, Mechele, Deli, Diatta, Rits,
Vanaken, De Ketelaere, Sobol,
Tau, Okereke