Shaw and Malacia underline need for change
- Published
Luke Shaw's fitness has been a major talking point during England's Euro 2024 campaign, with an initial hope the Manchester United defender would be fit for the start of the knockout phase at the latest proving to be wide of the mark.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag might have followed the debate and thought 'welcome to my world'.
Ten Hag was told in January Shaw and Tyrell Malacia would be fit at the beginning of February.
As it turned out Shaw played five games after a month-long absence, then broke down again at Luton on 18 February with an ankle injury he has only just recovered from.
Malacia didn't play at all last season and there have been no pictures of the Dutchman posted by United since pre-season training began at the start of this week.
This incorrect estimate of a return to fitness is not solely the reason why United have revamped their medical department but it shows why they need to.
Gary O'Driscoll left Arsenal after almost 15 years to become United's Head of Sports Medicine last year, with the Gunners former head physio Jordan Reece making the same move north earlier this year after 12 years at the north London club.