Luke Shaw, the Manchester United and England player, admits that injuries are partially his responsibility as he faces fitness concerns ahead of Euro 2024.

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In a recent interview, Manchester United and England defender Luke Shaw took some responsibility for his injury struggles as he strives to regain full fitness ahead of Euro 2024. Shaw, who has faced criticism from the likes of Gary Neville, Louis van Gaal, and Jose Mourinho, has been plagued by fitness issues throughout his career.

The 28-year-old’s problems were further compounded by a serious leg-break injury suffered against PSV Eindhoven in 2015, which required surgery and led to two blood clots. Despite these setbacks, Shaw has often been a standout player for United and has shown significant improvement, excelling not only as a left-back but also as part of a back three and as a wing-back.

Under the management of Erik ten Hag, Shaw has once again struggled with fitness, starting the season with an injury problem and ending it in a similar manner, featuring in just 12 league games. With no other left-backs selected by manager Gareth Southgate for the upcoming European Championships in Germany, Shaw’s readiness could be crucial for England’s chances of success, especially with Kieran Trippier also being utilized in that position.

Shaw revealed that he aggravated his injury when he rushed to be fit for United’s FA Cup final against Manchester City after sustaining the initial problem in February against Aston Villa. Although he was cleared to return for the subsequent game against Luton, Shaw admitted that it was a mistake.

The defender stated, “I felt something against Aston Villa and came off at half-time at Villa Park. It’s kind of everyone’s fault. Partly my fault, partly medical staff, I think everyone would admit that. I didn’t train the whole week. The scan came back and there wasn’t too much there. But I didn’t train all week, then trained the day before the game. If the manager asks me to play, I’m never going to say no. I shouldn’t have played.”

Despite the setbacks, Shaw emphasized that he was close to returning to full training with his club. He explained, “No one knows the situation, what’s been happening. I think people have seen that there was a setback, but I was actually very close to returning to team training. I was, of course, pushing to try and get back for the games and the final, and I think I pushed too hard.”

Shaw further clarified, “I came back too quickly and ended up getting another injury in my hamstring, which was three weeks from the final, and they said it was a six-week injury, so that’s why there was that setback. I think people have been getting confused with what’s actually happened because nothing had been said.”

The left-back also addressed the criticism he received for being fit for England but not for United. He said, “I got a few people coming up to me, saying: ‘How can you not be fit for United but fit for England?’ But the circumstances were that I did push to do everything I can to be fit for United, and that’s been really my whole season. It’s been disappointing for me, but I want to do everything I can, first and foremost, for United.”

Shaw’s target is to be ready for England’s first group game against Serbia, but he emphasized the importance of not rushing his recovery. He stated, “That’s not really down to me. We just go day by day, see how I’m feeling in training. I would love to make the first game, but I don’t want to rush too quickly because realistically I’ve only got one chance. If I feel something, then that’s it. I don’t want that to happen.”