(Reuters) – Manchester United defender Luke Shaw said manager Erik ten Hag has no qualms about dropping players out of form and that unlike previous seasons, no one is guaranteed a starting spot.
Cristiano Ronaldo, United’s top scorer last season with 24 goals, and captain Harry Maguire have both been dropped for extended periods this season.
Ten Hag made sure the players gave 100 percent every day to try and earn a spot on the team, Shaw said.
“The good thing about this coach is that if you don’t play well, you don’t play,” he told the National in an interview published Monday.
“It hasn’t been the case in the past but I think the good thing about this manager is that he keeps everyone on their toes. He makes sure that everyone gives 100 percent every day. If you’re not there, then you’ve won. not playing. That’s a positive thing.”
Shaw has also found himself on the bench this season.
He was dropped after back-to-back defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford in August but has worked his way back into the side, starting in the last two league games.
“To be honest, I (Ten Hag) didn’t really need to say anything about myself,” Shaw said. “I knew the first two games weren’t nearly good enough. I fully understood that it was my time to leave the team.
“The results were bad, my performances weren’t good enough. I just had to train hard every day so the manager could see how hard I’m working.”
United, fifth in the Premier League, host third-placed Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.