Luke Shaw's early season stats prove he is among best left-backs in the Premier League

Matt Jones - Editor 08:05 03/09/2018
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Jose Mourinho might not have got exactly what he wanted in the transfer market this summer, but Luke Shaw’s blistering start to the season has been as good as a new addition for unconvincing Manchester United.

    Shaw has endured several frustrating years since arriving at Old Trafford from Southampton in the summer of 2014. It seems amazing that four years have passed since he was brought in for £30 million – with much expected of the then hugely talented teenager.

    Things haven’t exactly gone to plan in the intervening time – with a horrendous broken leg suffered at the start of his second season in a Champions League game against PSV derailing fine progress in his debut campaign.

    Weight and fitness issues, as well as his questionable off the field lifestyle, have stunted his progress ever since, with Shaw often attracting the ire of Mourinho during the Portuguese’s two seasons in charge.

    But, the 23-year-old has started the 2018/19 campaign in scintillating style – delivering performances full of zest and tenacity at a time when United have been flawed and flimsy.

    He has been the bright spark in an otherwise torturous start to the Red Devils’ campaign and he was again excellent as United relieved the pressure on Mourinho with a comfortable 2-0 win at Burnley on Sunday, despite finishing the game with 10 men following Marcus Rashford’s red card.

    Here we take a closer look at Shaw’s start to the campaign and cast a magnifying glass over just how good he has been in these early weeks.

    Back to his old ways: Luke Shaw.

    FORM FOR UNITED

    Goals: 1 – 3rd

    Minutes played: 360 – joint 1st

    Shots (per game): 2 – 5th

    Pass accuracy: 83.3 – 13th

    Aerials won: 1.8 – 7th

    Tackles: 1.8 – 4th

    Interceptions: 1.5 – 8th

    Clearances: 3.5 – 5th

    Dribbled past: 0.3

    Blocks: 0.3 – 5th

    Key passes: 1.3 – 6th

    Dribbles: 1.5 – 2nd

    Dispossessed: 1

    Unskilled touches: 0.8

    Average passes: 56.8 – 4th

    Crosses: 0.5 – 5th

    PREMIER LEAGUE POSITION

    Tackles – 80th

    Key passes – 57th

    Dribbles – 32nd

    Dispossessed – 92nd

    Unskilled touches – 143rd

    Average passes – 34th

    Touches 344 – 12th (leads United)

    Pretty impressive, huh? But after several seasons spent in the wilderness at Old Trafford, foraging for both form and confidence, how does Shaw compare to the elite at his position?

    For a comparison, we’re saying Liverpool’s Andrew Robertson is the Premier League’s best left-back overall. And here is how Shaw stands up to the Scot:

    FULL STATS

    Appearances              4                                4

    Goals                          1                                0

    Assists                        0                                2

    Shots                          8                                1

    On target                    4                                0

    Chances created        0                                3

    Passes                       227                            257

    Pass completion        83.26                         87.16

    Passes forward          77                              66

    Passes backwards     38                              46

    Touches                      344                            326

    Crosses                      9                                 8

    Dispossessed             4                                 2

    Blocks                         1                                 0

    Interceptions               6                                 4

    Tackles                        7                                 12

    Tackles won                 2                                10

    Clearances                 14                                3

    Aerials won                 7                                 1

    Recommended