Luke Shaw Must Seize Manchester United Chance After Rojo, Daley Blind Injuries

When the summer exodus from Southampton was underway last season, the one name that really stood out was Luke Shaw.

The teenager was on his way to Manchester United in a record-equalling deal for a left-back, with a fee of £27 million being agreed between the clubs, reported by BBC Sport.

Shaw arrived at Old Trafford as a player earmarked for the future under Louis van Gaal, but like his former Saints team-mates Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert at Liverpool, this season has not proved to be the triumph he would've hoped for.

The 19-year-old was part of an influx of newcomers to the United squad as Van Gaal attempted to restore the team's fortunes after missing out on qualifying for this season's Champions League in the previous campaign, which was overseen by David Moyes.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Shaw appeared to have the world at his feet, as his big-money move followed his inclusion in England's World Cup squad.

But the seeds of doubt in Van Gaal's mind were planted on the youngster's return to United, with David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror reporting the Dutchman as saying:

"

I think [Shaw] needs to be fit and he is not very fit, therefore he can't perform what I want.

He has to be fit first and to train individually.

I cannot judge [why he was unfit after the World Cup]. I see what I see and I have spoken with him and we have made a programme for him, and he agreed with me.

"

Shaw has made just 12 Premier League starts under Van Gaal this season, as noted by WhoScored.com, and the player himself recently admitted that his first term at Old Trafford has not been his best.

Luke Augustus of the Daily Mail reported the teenager as saying in an interview with Match of the Day magazine:

"

It’s been a frustrating one because of the injuries I’ve picked up but I’m loving it.

If I was to write a school report on my first season here I’d give myself a C-.

You don’t realise just how big Man United is until you’re actually here—it’s frightening! It is the biggest club around.

"

Injuries have, of course, played their part in the defender's apparent stagnation this season.

His last appearance for United ended when he was substituted at half-time in the FA Cup sixth-round defeat to Arsenal at Old Trafford.

According to Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, the move was made as a precaution by Van Gaal.

That cup exit at the hands of the Gunners, however, was merely a blip in the midst of a run of six Premier League wins to bolster hopes of a Champions League return next season.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Bleacher Report's Manchester United writer Rob Dawson noted on Thursday that Daley Blind's switch from midfield to left-back—albeit imposed on Van Gaal by injuries to Shaw and Marcos Rojo—has left a question mark over the youngster at United:

"

With Rojo and Shaw signed for a combined £43 million in the summer, [Blind] perhaps thought he would spend most of his time at Old Trafford in midfield. He did until Shaw and Rojo were ruled out of the game with Tottenham [Hotspur] last month.

After four straight wins for United, including victories over Liverpool and Manchester City, Shaw, in particular, might find it difficult to get back into the team when he returns to full fitness.

"

Now, though, Shaw has been gifted an unexpected opportunity to finally make his mark at United.

Van Gaal announced on Friday that his plans for the league trip to leaders Chelsea had been decimated, with both Blind and Rojo sidelined alongside Michael Carrick and Phil Jones, as the official United website reported.

The news comes as a major blow as the Red Devils attempt to maintain their top-four place with a good result at Stamford Bridge, but that announcement included Van Gaal revealing that Shaw was back to fitness.

In one corner of the United dressing room in west London on Saturday, there will be one figure determined to prove his worth against the team he supported as a boy.

This could be the sole remaining chance Shaw gets this season. He must take it.