Defender says there are “no stragglers in this group any more”
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has backed manager Ruben Amorim to improve the club’s culture, calling recent squad changes necessary to eliminate the “toxic” environment.
The 30-year-old defender said Amorim has made it clear from the start of preseason that only full commitment will be accepted from the players.
“Ruben demands 100 per cent and that’s it,” said Shaw. “He doesn’t want anything less. If someone’s doing 85 or 90 per cent it’s not enough for him.
Amorim arrived in November 2024 following the sacking of Erik ten Hag, and while United ultimately finished in their worst league position for over half a century and missed out on Champions League qualification, the Portuguese has moved decisively this summer to reshape the squad.
A number of players whose futures lies outside the club have all been frozen out. Marcus Rashford has been loaned to Barcelona, and Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho, and Tyrell Malacia were all left out of the US tour group.
“I think, especially this year, if you’re not doing the right things, I feel like you won’t play,” said Shaw.
“It’s not hard to see from the outside what it’s been like. A lot of the time I’ve been here over the last few years it’s been extremely negative. The environment can be quite toxic. It’s not healthy at all.
“We need an environment that’s healthy and positive, with good energy and happiness.”
Amorim said his new signings were brought in not just for their Premier League experience and desire to play for the club, but also their willingness to buy into his project.
Shaw said: “There are no stragglers in this group any more. I think you’ve seen what Ruben has done in the past eight months with different players and things like that, he doesn’t care who the player is.
“His mentality, his demands, he’s extremely tough on the group. Everyone has to put the team first. He’s made that very clear.
“As players we’re fully behind him and fully behind on his ideas and what he wants to implement in the team.
“I feel like at the end of the day, the manager has to do that because he’s going to be the one that his job is always on the line.”
