Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Everton sparked fresh controversy as Gary Neville singled out Luke Shaw for criticism, while manager Ruben Amorim's tactical approach faced mounting scrutiny.
Shaw's "Ambling" Draws Ire
The Sky Sports pundit lambasted Shaw's perceived lack of intensity during Saturday's clash, particularly as United chased the game against 10 men. "He's ambling forward - you can't do that," Neville fumed during commentary. "He should be running forward every single time. I'm not having it."
Shaw, deployed as a left-sided center-back in Amorim's back three, has struggled with fitness issues in recent seasons. While he's started every league game this campaign, his physical output has declined markedly from his peak marauding full-back days.
System Under Scrutiny
Amorim's insistence on maintaining a three-man defense despite Everton's numerical disadvantage frustrated fans and pundits alike. The Portuguese manager made like-for-like substitutions rather than overhauling his system, leaving Neville questioning the approach: "You have to put as many players as possible in forward areas."
"Ruben Amorim has to take responsibility for this. When you're playing against 10 men, you need to adapt."
Declining Numbers Tell Story
Statistical analysis reveals Shaw's diminishing contributions:
- Sprints per 90 minutes down 22% since 2021/22
- Distance covered reduced by 1.3km per match
- Chances created halved over past three seasons
With United sitting eighth in the table, the pressure mounts on both player and manager to address these systemic issues before their season slips further away.
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