Luke Shaw believes Manchester United displayed great character by sticking to a carefully orchestrated game plan that produced a fine 3-1 win over Barcelona on Saturday.
Wayne Rooney opened the scoring with a powerful first-half header and substitute Jesse Lingard doubled the lead on 62 minutes, before the Spanish champions hit back via Rafinha’s excellent volley. Adnan Januzaj then wrapped up the victory by calmly slotting home in added time.
Of course, Barcelona are the reigning European champions and Jose Enrique’s side are perhaps the best team in world football at this moment. Although the match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara was only a friendly, Shaw reckons the Reds should take great confidence from the result.
“I really enjoyed it,” Luke told MUTV. “The most important thing for pre-season is fitness but all the lads in the changing room are delighted with the result. I think we played really well. It's never going to be easy against such a good team like Barcelona. Even though they didn't have Messi, Neymar or Dani Alves, it's still going to be tough. I think we showed great character today and did really well.
“We had a game plan today and I think that worked really well. Everyone's fitness is picking up and we coped well with the way they press. We didn't back down, I think we played well at the times when we did have the ball. We created chances and we took three of them.
“It doesn't get much better than playing against Barcelona,” Shaw continued. “It was a very good test for all of us and one that pushed us all to our maximum. Hopefully everyone's got good fitness out of the game and we're all looking forward to the next game against PSG.”
As United fans will no doubt remember, Louis van Gaal’s team recorded a similarly impressive victory over Real Madrid during last summer’s tour of America when it was the Bernabeu club who were European champions. The Reds went on win the International Champions Cup but later lost on the opening day of the Barclays Premier League season, which is still in the mind for Shaw.
“We're a bit cautious because we had a great pre-season last year and then we went into the first game and lost,” the impressive left-back told MUTV. “That's something we all know and we're all focusing on in training and the games we play in. We'll take it game by game but the most important game for us is the first game of the season against Tottenham.”
Meanwhile, United legend Denis Irwin was full of praise for Shaw while commentating on Saturday’s match for MUTV and the Irishman praised the youngster’s relationship with Ashley Young on the flank.
“Luke last year never really got into a flow or a rhythm because of the injuries,” Irwin said. “It's great to see him come back this year. I think he's been mightily impressive. He's struck up a great partnership with Ashley Young out there on the left.
“I thought they were a real threat against San Jose Earthquakes and I think they continued that today against Barcelona. They did some good overlapping which enabled Ashley, who's more comfortable on his right foot, to cut inside. Luke gives us good options going down the left.
“We know he's quick, we know he's got good ability, that's never been in doubt and it looks now that Luke is fit, clear of injuries and let's hope he continues like that because he is a top player."
Shaw is equally pleased by his understanding with Young and hopes it can continue this season. “I love to play with Ash on the left. We're building a great understanding now. He's great going forward but he can give me help at the back as well. He gives me the pass when I'm overlapping. He knows what to do, he can come inside as well and he's always dangerous when he does that.”
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