Shaw backs Amorim on urgent need of changing 'toxic culture' at Man Utd

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has come out in firm support of head coach Ruben Amorim's no-nonsense approach to tackling the "toxic" and "unhealthy" culture that has plagued the club. Back in May, following United's Europa League final defeat by Tottenham – a loss that cost them any chance of European qualification after a dismal 15th-placed Premier League finish – Shaw had publicly questioned whether he and his teammates were good enough to represent the club. These comments had drawn criticism from former captain Gary Neville at the time.

Looking back, Shaw explained that his damning assessment was fueled by a mix of raw hurt and a "hot" head as he struggled to come to terms with the shattering defeat. Amorim's response to that loss was swift and decisive: he resolved to drastically raise standards within the dressing room and notably excluded five senior players, including Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, from the squad.

"It's not hard to see from the outside what it's been like," said Shaw, reflecting on the club's environment. "A lot of the time I've been here over the last few years it's been extremely negative. It can be quite toxic, the environment, it's not healthy at all. We need an environment that's healthy, that's positive, that's got good energy and happiness. When you have all those things, you feel free and you express yourself more."

'Mentality is a big thing'

The 30-year-old defender emphasized Amorim's high expectations. "Ruben brings demands. Mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it. He demands 100% and doesn't want anything less. If someone's doing 85-90%, it's not enough. I think, especially this year, if you're not doing the right things, you won't play."

Shaw believes this message must be reinforced by United's senior players, including himself. "The more experienced ones need to be demanding more, day in, day out," he stated. "The levels in training, keeping to the times of when we're doing this or that, making sure no-one's coming late. The manager's not bothered. He doesn't care who the player is. That's how it should be. Whatever he wants, as players, we have to be delivering – and we are fully behind that."

While Shaw did not specifically name the so-called 'bomb squad' – Rashford, Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, and Antony – in his general assessment, he made it clear he wasn't placing all the blame on those specific individuals, four of whom weren't even at the club for the second half of last season. In a separate conversation at a Premier League event in Chicago, the England international affirmed that there are "no stragglers in this group any more" and that Amorim had unequivocally stated that "everyone needs to put the team first."

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United's longest-serving player also feels that the aftermath of the Europa League final defeat in Bilbao pushed the club to such a low point that it left everyone in Amorim's squad uncertain about their future.

"I wouldn't say I regret what I said but straight after the game, your head is hot, you say things and don't think about it," Shaw admitted. "A lot of people, after that final, and after that year, didn't know how the next season was going to look, we have to be open and honest about that. None of us were good enough. I had such an awful year as well. I was just fully angry about everything. That's why I did the interview and said what I said."

Shaw's comments highlight the perceived deep-seated issues within Manchester United's culture and the belief that Amorim's strict approach is a necessary step towards transforming the club's fortunes.