Luke Shaw has opened up about the legendary players who influenced him the most during his long tenure at Manchester United. The England defender praised the professionalism of Cristiano Ronaldo and the fierce mentality of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, calling them two of the most unforgettable personalities he has played alongside at Old Trafford.
A Decade at Old Trafford
Shaw has spent more than a decade at Manchester United, sharing the dressing room with several world-class stars. However, the left-back admitted that Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic stood out due to their commitment, discipline, and desire to win every single day. Shaw explained that watching both players closely helped him understand what it takes to succeed at the highest level of football for many years.
Ronaldo's Unmatched Work Ethic
Shaw spoke highly about Cristiano Ronaldo's second spell at Manchester United after the Portuguese superstar returned to the club in 2021. Even though Ronaldo's comeback ended with controversy, Shaw, speaking on Manchester United's official website, said the forward's work ethic remained incredible from the very first day. According to Shaw, Ronaldo's preparation before and after training sessions showed why he stayed among the best players in the world for such a long time.
The defender explained that training alongside Ronaldo was an eye-opening experience. Shaw said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner followed a strict routine every day and never relaxed in his efforts to improve. He added that Ronaldo's discipline, recovery methods, and dedication inspired many players inside the squad. Shaw also mentioned that seeing those habits closely was both enjoyable and educational for him as a professional footballer.
Ibrahimovic's Intense Mentality
Along with Ronaldo, Shaw also highlighted Ibrahimovic's huge impact during his time at Old Trafford. The Swedish striker joined Manchester United in 2016 and quickly became one of the strongest personalities in the dressing room. Shaw admitted he had never seen a player with such an intense winning mentality before.
The England international revealed that Ibrahimovic wanted to win everything, even small training games. Shaw said the striker became very aggressive whenever his team lost and always demanded high standards from teammates. Despite his tough attitude, Shaw explained that Ibrahimovic was respected and loved by everyone at the club because of his character and leadership qualities.
Setting Standards for Success
Shaw believes every successful team needs players with strong personalities like Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic. According to the defender, both stars set standards that pushed others around them to improve and compete harder every day. Their influence, he noted, was instrumental in shaping the mentality of the squad during his time at the club.
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