Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has backed head coach Ruben Amorim’s hard-line approach to improving the “toxic” and “unhealthy” culture at the club.
In May, after United’s Europa League final defeat by Tottenham, Shaw questioned whether he and his team-mates were good enough to play for the club, comments that drew criticism, external from former captain Gary Neville.
Looking back, Shaw said his damning assessment was triggered by a mixture of the hurt he was feeling at a time when his head was still “hot” as he tried to come to terms with the shattering defeat, which cost United any chance of European qualification after their woeful 15th-placed Premier League finish.
Amorim responded to the loss by resolving to drive up standards inside the dressing room while also excluding five senior players, including Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho.
“It’s not hard to see from the outside what it’s been like,” said Shaw.
“A lot of the time I’ve been here over the last few years it’s been extremely negative.
“It can be quite toxic, the environment, it’s not healthy at all. We need an environment that’s healthy, that’s positive, that’s got good energy and happiness. When you have all those things, you feel free and you express yourself more.
“Ruben brings demands. Mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it.
“He demands 100% and doesn’t want anything less. If someone’s doing 85-90%, it’s not enough. I think, especially this year, if you’re not doing the right things, you won’t play.”
Credit: bbc.com
