Man United Avoids Signing Luke Shaw 2.0

Manchester United have faced significant injury setbacks in defense this season, mirroring the struggles of the previous campaign under Erik ten Hag before his sack.

Once again, a depleted backline has hampered the team, with several key players sidelined for extended periods.

Currently, nine players are out injured—six of them defenders: Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, and Jonny Evans.

New manager Ruben Amorim will hope for some returns before the season concludes, especially with United pushing for Europa League success after reaching the quarter-finals.

Looking ahead, INEOS must prioritize squad depth and durability in recruitment, learning from past mistakes where injury-prone signings exacerbated the crisis.

Amorim needs reliable players who can stay fit, though some injuries are inevitable. Luke Shaw epitomizes United’s struggles, having missed over 250 games due to 24 separate injuries.

Similarly, Alphonso Davies—a player previously linked with United—has faced 15 injuries at Bayern Munich, though he has still managed 31 appearances this season, far more than Shaw’s meager three.

Davies’ latest hamstring strain, which kept him out for six games, serves as a cautionary tale.

While he remains a top performer when fit, United must avoid repeating past errors by signing players with concerning injury records.

Moving forward, a smarter recruitment strategy will be crucial to building a more resilient squad.