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Ruben Amorim’s luxury was once a necessity for Man Utd managers and this change was long overdue

Originally posted on HITC | By Adnan Riaz | Last updated Jul 26, 2025 8:03 AM ET

There aren’t many ways in which Ruben Amorim’s situation is better than those who came before him, but one thing that used to be a must has turned into a luxury for him.

Other than Ineos having a clear plan, which won’t show results overnight, most things around the club have taken a step back. That includes everything from how the team is performing on the pitch to the mood of staff members affected by Ineos’ hard-nosed approach.

The key word there is “most”. Because while plenty has gone downhill, Ruben Amorim finds himself in a spot where something that used to sink managers before him isn’t as urgent anymore.

That was starting to become clear back in January, and with the 2025/26 season coming up, it’s now fully obvious. It could end up being a real game-changer for him.

How Luke Shaw became a double-edged sword for Man Utd

When Luke Shaw first arrived at Manchester United, he was seen as one of the most promising young left-backs in the game, and there was genuine belief that the position was sorted for years to come.

Shaw’s injury problems have made his contract unsellable, but even if he could be moved on, his skill set is something United haven’t been able to fully replace.

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Though he’s often unavailable, Shaw has always brought something different when fit. The team clearly looks more balanced and dynamic with him in the lineup.

It’s no surprise that United’s best runs since his arrival have coincided with periods when he stayed fit, regardless of who was managing the side.

No other left-footed player has matched his ability to drive forward or handle defensive duties with the same level of consistency when he’s healthy.

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You could argue that his importance to the squad contributed to some of those injuries. He was often rushed back before fully recovering, which only led to more setbacks.

The version of Shaw Amorim took over wasn’t the same energetic full-back fans had once been excited about.

But since then, recruitment has changed things. What used to be a critical gap is now seen as more of a depth option than an essential piece of the puzzle.

Luke Shaw’s role under Ruben Amorim is a bonus, not a necessity

It says a lot about Shaw’s ability that when he was available under Amorim, his presence at left centre-back stood out again, and even brief spells at wing-back reminded people of what he could do.

But United don’t need him to be fit anymore to have that same influence on the pitch.

Amorim seemed to recognise right away how much previous managers relied on Shaw, and moved quickly to bring in three left-footed options.

Patrick Dorgu, Ayden Heaven, and Diego Leon have combined to push Shaw into the “luxury” category for 2025/26 – something that probably should have happened two years earlier.

Dorgu brings energy at left wing-back, Heaven carries the ball well, and Leon has the physical tools to one day reach the level Shaw showed early in his career.

The team used to look lost without him. Now, he doesn’t make their best XI. Staying healthy just makes him a useful squad player now. He’s overpaid for that role, but it’s still an improvement over being an overpaid necessity they couldn’t rely on.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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