The story behind Luke Shaw’s leg scar could make his Man Utd comeback one of the greatest ever
Manchester United supporters believe Luke Shaw could be one of the greatest comeback stories in history after spotting the scar on his right leg.
The 27-year-old has featured 29 times under Erik ten Hag this season, not missing a Premier League game since a 3-1 win over Arsenal back in September.
Shaw is one of the most consistent members of the Red Devils backline and the most versatile. As well as his preferred left-back role, Shaw has played as the left centre-back when Lisandro Martinez isn’t available.
He’s impressed, managing to marshal Manchester City striker Erling Haaland with ease during a 2-1 derby win last month.
The England international joined United from Southampton in a £30 million deal back in 2014, which made him the most expensive teenager in world football.
He managed to nail down a starting spot under Louis van Gaal, starting the 15/16 campaign in fine form. On September 15 2015, Shaw suffered a devastating blow.
During the Red Devils’ Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven, Hector Moreno flew into a tackle and broke Shaw’s right leg. He was stretchered off while receiving oxygen, with the club later confirming he’d suffered a double fracture.
When he made his return against Leicester City in the Community Shield 11 months later, few knew the story behind Shaw’s road to recovery.
Doctors told him the double fracture could’ve ended up much worse. Shaw told reporters in 2018 that if he’d flown back from Holland for the surgery, his leg likely would’ve had to have been amputated.
He explained: “I nearly lost my leg. I was really close to actually losing my leg. I never knew that until six months later when the doctor told me.
“At the time, they were thinking about flying me back [from Holland] and if I’d have flown back, I would probably have lost my leg because of the blood clots and stuff in the leg.
“I’ve got – I don’t want to talk about it too much – two scars down the side of my leg where they had to cut it open and pull them out because of how severe it was.
Gentle reminder that Luke Shaw bounced back from a horrific, career-ending injury to become one of the best left-backs in the world. Unreal mental strength 💪 pic.twitter.com/UOldYzj1uN
— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) February 19, 2023
“But I don’t really care about that anymore. I feel really strong – and my right leg is exactly as it was before my leg break.”
The scar is usually covered by Shaw’s socks, but supporters got a rare glimpse during Sunday’s 3-0 win over Leicester.
A Marcus Rashford brace and Jadon Sancho’s second goal in three Premier League games were enough to move United within five points of Arsenal at the top of the table.
