MANCHESTER, England (BN24) — Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has publicly backed manager Ruben Amorim’s hardline stance on improving professionalism and mentality within the club’s dressing room, describing the atmosphere in recent years as “quite toxic” and “extremely negative.”
In an interview with the BBC published Wednesday, Shaw said the environment at United had often been unhealthy and weighed down by negativity, adding that Amorim’s no-nonsense style has been a needed intervention for a squad that finished 15th in the Premier League last season and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur.
“A lot of the time I’ve been here over the last few years it’s been extremely negative,” said Shaw, who joined the club in 2014. “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.”
Amorim, who arrived at Old Trafford in November to steady a struggling United side, quickly set new standards for commitment. He benched senior players including Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho — part of a group of five players reportedly seeking summer exits — and emphasized an all-or-nothing work ethic.
“Ruben brings demands. Mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it,” Shaw said. “He demands 100 percent and doesn’t want anything less. If someone’s doing 85 to 90 percent, it’s not enough. Especially this year, if you’re not doing the right things, you won’t play.”
Amorim has not shied away from controversy, openly criticizing Rashford’s effort and stating he would rather play the goalkeeping coach than tolerate half-hearted performances. Rashford has since been loaned to Barcelona, while British media reports continue to link Garnacho with a potential move to Chelsea or Aston Villa.
“The manager’s not bothered. He doesn’t care who the player is. That’s how it should be,” said Shaw. “Whatever he wants, as players, we have to be delivering, and we are fully behind that.”
Manchester United begin their 2025–26 Premier League campaign at home against Arsenal on August 17, as Amorim seeks to overhaul not just tactics, but the culture at one of football’s most scrutinized clubs.
