Football
ESPN staff 10y

Shaw backs United's young defenders

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw said he supports Manchester United's young defenders following the exit of the club's veterans.

Shaw became the most expensive teenager in history when he moved to United from Southampton for an initial fee of 27 million pounds last month. 

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"All the more experienced players have left us but [manager Louis] van Gaal, I think he's aware of that and I think he likes the young blood you know and he has a lot of faith in them. So hopefully we can prove to people that it's not all about experience and feed the young blood in and see what they can do," Shaw told ESPN FC in an exclusive interview.

"First of all, I want to get a starting place in the first eleven, you know, but I've come here to win trophies as well, and I'm sure if you ask anyone in the dressing room, that's something we all want to be doing and hopefully this could be our year."

Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand followed manager David Moyes out after United's worst run of form since 1992. Just three weeks after Shaw's arrival, United sold Patrice Evra, the France international who had been the club's first-choice left-back for eight years. The 19-year-old said he would have been happy to have learned from Evra, but was not dwelling on the past.

"I don't know but I wouldn't have minded him staying," Shaw said. "He's a great player and someone I could have learned a lot off, but like you said he's gone and obviously it could be my chance now so hopefully I can impress in preseason and carry on into the season."

The new signing also believes the lack of European football could help him settle at Old Trafford.

"Yeah, it's very tough, but on the other side I think it could help me a lot coming here. I've got a whole season of what I'm used to in the Premier League and cup games instead of the European ones," he said. "So, like I said, it will be good for me to have another season of this to get more experience, and like I said, hopefully we get European football back next year."

Shaw said he is looking forward to meeting with Van Gaal.

"I haven't had a proper chat with him yet because we obviously have been here for two days so we actually haven't had a sit down," Shaw said. "I know he has spoken to a few of the other lads, but I think in the next few days I'll have a discussion with him to see what his [plans are] and for me what my plans are for this preseason."

Shaw said he was looking forward to the U.S. tour, despite Van Gaal's fears that the travel would exhaust his players.

"To see the teams that were playing is something spectacular," Shaw said. "Last year when I went on tour, we was playing League One teams, Championship teams.

"And to come out here, obviously the first game tomorrow with LA Galaxy, and then I think it's Inter Milan, Roma, and the big one, Real Madrid. That's something I'm really looking forward to, and I can't wait to get it started."

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