Why can't Luke Shaw stay fit?

Luke Shaw is undoubtedly one of the most talented left-backs Manchester United and England possess. Both sides are much more solid defensively and more fluent in attack when he plays. But as has been well-documented, Shaw's main challenge appears to be keeping fit.

Indeed, only yesterday Shaw revealed the 'devastating' news he has suffered another injury.

They say the best ability is availability. And that's where Shaw struggles.

In the Premier League, Shaw's highest appearance record is 35 starting league appearances in a single season. This came in 2013/14 season for Southampton.

While at Manchester United, he has registered:

16 in 2014/15.

5 in 2015/16.

11 in 2016/17.

11 in 2017/18.

20 in 2020/21.

12 in 2023/24.

And 2 so far in 2024/25.

Despite two or three relatively good seasons in the middle, availability is Shaw's achilles heel.

But why is this?

Having watched numerous interviews with Shaw and read various comments about Shaw in the media, he is a determined, passionate and focused player who just wants to play.

But for some reason, his body keeps letting him down...

Or does it? We'll come to that shortly...

To put this into context, Manchester United have one of the most advanced sports science departments in the world. They also have world-class physiotherapists looking after their players. Similarly, the English national team has elite physio's capable of providing the highest quality care.

While they are of course human and may make the odd mistake here and there, or not choose the best course of action every time (in hindsight!), they are undoubtedly excellent at their jobs.

So why is it that Shaw continues to struggle?

To understand why this might be, we need to rewind to September 2015.

Man Utd were playing PSV in the Champion's League (Ahh remember the days!) when a flying tackle by defender Hector Moreno led to Shaw experiencing a double leg break (tibia and fibula). He received oxygen on the pitch, needing nearly 10 minutes of medical attention before being stretchered off.

Shaw reported being in shock. He also shared that later that night, he experienced the most intense pain he could imagine, where he and his family ended up begging the medical team to do something because the pain was too unbearable. It was discovered Shaw experienced blood clots. He revealed he still has scars where the surgeons had to open the leg up to get to the clots.

Shaw was later told that he came very close to losing his leg, and the player himself admitted he even considered retirement due to the arduous rehab.

Now let's think about this for a moment...

Hudson and Johnson (2021) propose the idea of an Emotional Memory Image (EMI). This is a mental representation of an intensely emotional event, which gets stored subconsciously OUTSIDE the person's awareness.

Later, if the individual finds themselves in circumstances that are in any way similar to the original traumatic event, the EMI flashes up in the players mind's eye and causes a mini-version, or 'echo' of the original stress response.

There is no doubt, based on multiple accounts, Shaw experienced a traumatic injury, incredible pain, and found out he nearly lost his leg. All of these events could be enough to generate an EMI that sits there in his subconscious mind.

As he completes his rehab and he CONSCIOUSLY wants to do everything possible to get back on the pitch and recapture his best form, SUBCONSCIOUSLY his system is continually putting the breaks on, holding him back, putting a limiter on his physical performance.

All in the name of trying to keep him safe.

He consciously goes into a tackle giving everything, but his subconscious safety system means he only actually goes in at 95%. His system attempts to reduce the risk of another injury. In most cases that wouldn't make a difference, but in elite sport?

That 5% can be huge.

It's also likely his nervous system still 'perceives' that leg to be unsafe, shifting his centre of mass and disrupting his agility and dynamism.

All these factors combine cause a multitude of muscular injuries, tears, feelings of tightness, extra safety precautions, cautious sprinting etc...

Furthermore, the UNCONSCIOUS advantages to Shaw (from his mind's perspective), is if he's out injured with a minor pull or tightness, he is safer than being on the pitch.

Collectively, this means that despite having a player with huge determination and passion, despite having the best sports science around, despite having the best physio treatment available...

None of this will trump the power of the mind while the EMI's are still sitting, active in the players subconscious.

Only when those EMI's have been updated and processed, are we likely to see a Luke Shaw consistently fit and back to his best.

What do you think?

Disclaimer

The content on this blog is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The theories, opinions, and ideas expressed herein are solely those of the author and are not presented as factual statements. The author assumes no liability for any actions taken based on the information provided on this blog. This blog is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any player, club, or league. Any references to players or teams are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as an endorsement or approval of the content.