29 Jul 2014 20:21:58
As a Saints fan I won't comment on whether Luke Shaw is worth whatever you guys paid for him. Personally I think he is a very good player - though not a Gareth Bale. What is interesting though is Van Gaal hanging him out to dry with the training on his own story. Hmm. hard man showing how tough he is by slapping young kid around. Don't recall Sir Alex trying to make a name for himself that way. Go and pick on someone your own size Louis?

1.) 29 Jul 2014
29 Jul 2014 20:37:44
I'm firmly of the belief he is just doing extra training. There is no way he is missing out on technical drills etc.

Question, did saints fans ever think Bale would be as big as he is?

2.) 29 Jul 2014
What a load of rubbish. How on earth is that hanging out to dry? The lad has turned up for pre season and LvG has decided he isn't fit enough. It happens to plenty of players every season so of course he is going to put on a specific fitness regime. Luke Shaw may be a 'kid' as you put it but he has also just been handed a very lucrative contract at one of the worlds biggest clubs. So he'll have to be professional and just get on with it.

3.) 29 Jul 2014
Think you might find that Shaw is unfit and maybe a few pounds over-weight.

4.) 29 Jul 2014
He's a kid being paid £100,000 a week who wasn't keeping his fitness level at the expected level. It's the minimum expected of a professional football player, and Shaw agreed with the training programme. Far too many young players (Zaha for instance) think they've made it once they move to a big club. Van Gaal is keeping the lad's feet on the ground, and not so subtlely telling him that the real hard work is only starting. That's how promising young players can become top class players down the line.

5.) 29 Jul 2014
There is a lot of nonsense about Shaw. If you look at his physique he is naturally a little bulky and perhaps he overdid the weights too much. If you look at Ashley Cole he was more lithe and able to do more miles at a high pace. We are very English thinking in that we want robust players whilst LvG sees a far bigger picture than an English 442 with strong muscular players. I think it is a good thing that he has quickly identified how to improve Shaw and one that Shaw will appreciate. In fact if Shaw asked on how to improve he will appreciate it even more. We should remember that the level at United is higher than his previous club and that probably included fitness and physique. I recall RVP saying we changed his training regime before his first season with us to strengthen muscles not focussed on so closely previously. It is all part of meticulous preparation, something LvG is excellent at.

A lot of opposition fans will love that they think they have any chances to belittle us but actually LvG will improve Shaw which will be to the benefit of England.

I think those opposition who are laughing now, won't be during the season!

6.) 29 Jul 2014
I don't think there was any need to tell the press