Insider: Man United predicted to let go player who Ruben Amorim called 'world-class'
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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)
Callum O'Connell
Thu 18 September 2025 11:58, UK
Man United have to make decisions about a number of their first-team stars ahead of the upcoming transfer windows, according to their former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that Amorim is planning to be “ruthless” with his transfer plans.
Luke Shaw is among a number of key players out of contract in the next two years, and no talks have taken place yet to extend his terms beyond 2027.
Man United fans have been critical of Shaw since the end of last season, while his constant injury issues have been a long-term concern Amorim.
However, Brown told Football Insider on 21 August that Man United decided to keep Shaw during the summer despite interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Credit: Getty Images
Brown told Football Insider in December that United must make a decision about Shaw’s future amid ongoing concerns about his lingering injury issues.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment and also worked for the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Aston Villa, explained that a decision will soon have to be made on the left-back’s future.
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“Shaw is going to have to prove he deserves a new contract,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s finally got back to full fitness, and they’re hopeful he can stay fit for a significant period, because that’s been his major issue in the last few years and I think that will be a concern for Man United.
“I personally think he’s one of their best defenders, but I don’t know if the club share my view.
“There was a lot of talk about him during the summer, but obviously they made the decision to keep him and he’s been a part of Amorim’s starting XI on a regular basis.
“He will have to perform to a better level than he did against Man City if he wants to earn a new deal, though, because he looked nowhere near it.
“It’s easy to pick holes in individual performances, but they have to make the decision across an entire season if they think he’s done well enough to keep him around.
“Amorim has to be ruthless with what he wants to do, because there’s no point keeping players around who he doesn’t think are good enough.
“That goes for any player, if he thinks they’re a valuable part of the squad, he should be taking steps to keep them at the club, and if not then he can let them go.
“So for Shaw, they need to decide whether they think he’s the right option at the back long-term, or whether they want to let him go in the summer.”
Shaw has been told he must prove he can stay fit and play his way into earning a new contract should he wish to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
The left-back missed 62 games for club and country through injury between August 2024 and April 2025 [Transfermarkt] – but has been openly praised by Amorim after his return to fitness.
United’s manager labelled him “world-class” in July [BBC] and insisted he can still play a key role in his squad, despite suggestions he could be allowed to leave.
Credit: Imago
Shaw is not the only player with doubts about his contract situation, though, as Harry Maguire’s future at Man United remains unclear.
Brown told Football Insider on 9 September that Maguire could be tempted to leave Man United with Saudi Pro League clubs keeping tabs on his situation.
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