9 players who need to repair their stock in the 2018/19 Premier League season

#7 Luke Shaw (Manchester United)

Luke Shaw

Luke Shaw had a swimmingly easy journey to the gates of Old Trafford. However, the theatre has given the player many a nightmare. A near career-ending injury against PSV triggered a three-year spell wherein he has found both form and fitness elusive. He showed great promise, especially under Van Gaal, and now he enters the final year of his contract with everything on the proverbial line.

The 3-1 shambles at the Amex brought the first defeat of the new campaign and with it a barrage of questions. The comical defensive farrago present by Bailly and Lindeloff deflected some of the heat that Luke should have felt too. But his lung-busting standout performance against Spurs amidst utter dross by other United defenders is difficult to undermine. He has been the only bright light for the Red Devils in a skyline of dark and gloom.

There have been times when it seemed like Jose Mourinho was hell-bent on breaking the player with public criticism of his fitness and lifestyle. But after the Tottenham defeat, there was an embrace between the two, a very public validation of his efforts.

Luke had a torturous strength and conditioning regimentation in Dubai before he returned to the preseason, ready to fight for a place against the designated left-back, Ashley Young. A meticulous and gruelling preseason later he has returned in the best shape of his life. Self-described as a ‘Wayne Rooney body-type’, he started like a house on fire with scoring the winner against Leicester on an opening day. He was also involved in the opener. In his first four seasons at United, he failed to score and only managed three assists. He already has one goal and one assist in the first three fixtures.

Tottenham's Danny Rose was touted as his replacement during the summer and but he certainly won that English battle even though United did not win much else on the night.