Luke Shaw says he has put his injury-plagued first season at Manchester United behind him, and is keen to show his true colours as the new campaign approaches.
The England left-back joined Louis van Gaal’s side in June 2014, but his first season was interrupted by a series of injury and fitness problems which limited him to just 20 appearances.
But after spending part of the pre-season in the Middle East working with one of the club’s specialist fitness coaches, Shaw says he is ready and raring to go.
Luke Shaw was a member of England's 2014 FIFA World Cup squad
“I have come back to this pre-season in much better shape than I did last season,” he said.
“The rest has done me really well, the trip to Dubai helped also and I feel good.
“Every pre-season is hard and it is just about getting your fitness back up.
“Over the time I had off, I made sure that I came back in good shape. I am feeling good and I’m ready for the games.”
After being publicly criticised by Van Gaal and forced to train on his own a year ago it is, Shaw says, a very different story this time round.
While many of his Manchester United team-mates were relaxing on holiday, Shaw and team-mate Adnan Januzaj took it upon themselves to work on getting into peak physical condition ahead of the new season.
Luke Shaw was carried off on a stretcher after colliding with James McArthur at Selhurst Park
“As a team we all get individual programmes for the summer. On my time off, I went to Dubai with Adnan and one of the coaches,” he said, in an interview with the club’s official website.
“It wasn't a thing that I was told to do, it was just something that me and Adnan chose to do, to go out there and come back in shape for when we start the pre-season training.
“Of course I had my time off, I had a few weeks to rest and recover so when we went to Dubai that was to bring our fitness levels back up. Me and Adnan really enjoyed it. Hopefully it was good for both of us."
“Hopefully this time I can stay fit, get a good run of games and win a title at the end of the season”
Luke Shaw
As well as the general fitness concerns, Shaw’s debut season at Old Trafford was also blighted by a series of small injuries.
The 20-year suffered ankle and hamstring troubles throughout, while a facial injury at Crystal Palace in May kept him out for a further three weeks.
But Shaw is confident those problems are also behind him.
“I just hope I don’t get any injuries,” he added.
“I think last season was frustrating because I was picking up little niggles every time I had a couple of games.
"Hopefully this time I can stay fit, get a good run of games and win a title at the end of the season.”
