Ruben Amorim hinted that Luke Shaw will have a real battle on his hands to keep his spot with Lisandro Martinez fit again.
Luke Shaw Needs To Fight For His Spot Under Ruben Amorim
When a manager speaks about competition, it usually comes with a message between the lines. Man Utd head coach Ruben Amorim didn’t hide it. He made it clear that Luke Shaw can’t take his place for granted. This comes as Lisandro Martinez is back in the mix.
Martinez stepped onto the pitch after ten long months out, closing a tough recovery from an ACL injury. Even though it was only a short cameo in the win at Crystal Palace, his presence alone felt like a statement.
The Red Devils’ manager said: “They have to fight.”
Now, Shaw has someone breathing down his neck again. Amorim wants his defenders on edge, sharp and ready. He spoke about the need to fight for places, and with Martinez returning, that fight just got intense.
Martinez Brings Energy Man Utd Have Missed
Martinez didn’t play long, but his impact was clear. His tempo, quick reads, and left-sided balance give Man Utd a different look. Amorim knows that having him back unlocks more options. There was sense of a lift in the squad the moment he came on. His return isn’t just good news for the defence, it also pushes the rest to raise their level.
Shaw has the experience and calm United rely on, but he now faces someone who plays with fire and urgency. That blend of ability and hunger is exactly what Amorim wants across the pitch. The manager wants both players pushing each other every week, because that’s how standards rise.
Author’s opinion:
Healthy competition is the best thing that can happen to United’s back line. Shaw and Martinez bring different strengths, and this fight could push both to their peak. In the long run, the team only benefits.
As featured on ManUNews.com