Cape Town – Former Manchester United captain and defender, Gary Neville, cannot contain his excitement about the future of Luke Shaw and says that he has “brilliant potential”.
The former Southampton player joined Manchester United on June 27 to become the most expensive teenager in the world football.
Neville has backed the left back to become a long-term triumph with the Red Devils and understands the price tag of the player.
“I am trying to keep guarded here about the size of talent that exists in this footballer,” Neville said on Manchester United’s website.
“The reason United spent £27m on a left-back at his age is because they see the huge talent and I can only endorse that talent.”
Being England assistant coach Neville has witnessed firsthand of what type of character and player Shaw is.
“You have to watch him at close hand to realise that this is an incredible and hugely talented football player. Luke Shaw is fantastic.”
“Luke did brilliantly last season in the Premier League and he did enough to warrant and deserve an England call.”
Neville adds that it will take the 19 year old time and space to develop his game as well as settling in a new environment.
“I am expecting he will do well this season but you will see a really quite fantastic full-back in 18 months to two years.”
“When he matures and gets used to the club and settles into the environment and understands the expectation he will blossom.”
Luke Shaw is likely to be first choice with Patrice Evra reportedly on his way to Italy with Juventus. David De Gea was given time to develop and Sir Alex Ferguson stuck with a struggling 19 year old De Gea but continued to play the young Spanish goalkeep which proved to be fruitful for the Red Devils.
“I came through at 16-17 with the rest of my mates and we virtually lived in the football club. We knew the expectations. It was drilled into us,” says Neville.
“He is coming from a very good football club and a very good youth system but he is now at a giant of a club. The expectations are massive. But he will get used to that.”
Will Luke Shaw prove to be a good signing or an overrated flop?