Manchester United's Luke Shaw has bravely opened up about the physical and emotional challenges he faced during his injury-ravaged season, confessing he felt he had 'let a lot of people down' during his prolonged absence from the pitch.
The England international, who has been a key figure for both club and country in recent years, endured what he described as a 'horrible' period on the sidelines after suffering multiple setbacks in his recovery process.
The Struggle to Return
'There were moments when I hit rock bottom,' Shaw revealed in an emotional interview. 'As a professional athlete, you never want to be unavailable to your team, and when the injuries kept coming, it felt like I was failing everyone - the manager, my teammates, and especially the fans.'
The 28-year-old left-back, known for his attacking prowess and defensive reliability, missed crucial matches for both Manchester United and the England national team during his rehabilitation period.
Mental Health Challenges
Shaw spoke candidly about the psychological impact of his extended absence: 'People see the physical side of injuries, but the mental battle is often harder. There were days when I questioned everything - whether I'd ever return to my best, whether the club might move on without me.'
His honesty provides rare insight into the unseen pressures faced by elite athletes during injury recoveries, particularly at a club with the global profile of Manchester United.
Support System
The defender credited manager Erik ten Hag and his teammates for their unwavering support: 'The gaffer was fantastic with me throughout. He kept reminding me that my health came first and that my place in the squad wasn't in question.'
Shaw also expressed gratitude to United's medical staff, who worked tirelessly to help him regain full fitness: 'They never gave up on me, even when progress seemed slow. Their professionalism gave me the confidence to keep pushing forward.'
Looking Ahead
Now back in contention, Shaw is determined to make up for lost time: 'This season is about repaying that faith. I want to show everyone what I'm capable of when fully fit and prove that I can still be an important player for this club.'
His return comes at a crucial time for United as they look to build on last season's progress under ten Hag's leadership.
