Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has come out in support of new manager Rúben Amorim, who is taking a firm stance to fix what Shaw calls the club’s “toxic” and “unhealthy” environment.
United’s dressing room came under intense scrutiny following their Europa League final loss to Tottenham in May, which also confirmed their 15th-place finish in the Premier League – their worst in over 30 years.
The team failed to qualify for any European competition, marking a low point in United’s recent history.
Speaking from Chicago during a Premier League media event, Shaw admitted that his harsh post-final comments—where he questioned if some players were good enough to play for the club—were made in anger and frustration.
“After the final, my head was hot. I was angry. I don’t regret speaking out, but none of us were good enough,” Shaw said.
In response to the disastrous season, Amorim, who joined from Sporting Lisbon, wasted no time shaking things up. He excluded five senior players—Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, and Antony—from pre-season training, reportedly due to poor discipline and lack of commitment.
“It’s been extremely negative and toxic at times,” Shaw admitted. “We need a healthy, positive atmosphere with good energy and togetherness. That’s what Rúben is trying to build.”
Amorim is known for his demanding leadership style, with a strong emphasis on attitude, punctuality, and commitment.
“He doesn’t care who you are—if you’re not giving 100%, you won’t play,” Shaw added. “That’s how it should be at a club like this.”
At 30, Shaw is now one of the longest-serving players at United. He says the club’s senior figures must take more responsibility for enforcing standards.
“We need to be strict with ourselves—turning up on time, training at the right intensity, and holding each other accountable. Amorim can’t do it alone.”
While Shaw avoided directly blaming the sidelined players, he hinted that the club is now moving forward with a more unified group.
“There are no stragglers anymore. Everyone knows they need to put the team first,” he said.
Shaw acknowledged that last season left many players uncertain about their future at the club.
“It was a dark time. But now, there’s a fresh start, and everyone must buy into it if we want to turn things around.”
United’s fans will be watching closely to see if Amorim’s bold approach can restore discipline and pride at Old Trafford—something the club has been missing in recent years.
