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Shaw: I’ve let Southgate down in past but I won’t do it again

Luke Shaw in action against Albania Expand

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Luke Shaw in action against Albania

Luke Shaw in action against Albania

Luke Shaw in action against Albania

Matt Law

Luke Shaw has promised not to let down England manager Gareth Southgate again after being handed an international reprieve and marking his comeback with an assist for Harry Kane against Albania.

The Manchester United left-back admitted that he thought he had blown his big chance with England after pulling out of squads, following his last international comeback against Spain in 2018.

But Shaw wants to make up for lost time and prove to Southgate that he can be trusted ahead of the summer’s European Championship.

Southgate now faces a selection headache between the former Southampton academy graduate and Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell for tomorrow night’s World Cup qualifier against Poland at Wembley.

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“I’ve a few massive regrets and I couldn’t stop thinking of the mistakes I made in the past, especially with England,” said Shaw (25). “I pulled out of a lot of camps. I was maybe not in the best condition, but I think over the last two years I’ve thought about it so much – that was my biggest regret. And yeah, of course, letting Gareth down. I tried to keep in touch with him just to let him know that things had changed.

“The last time I played (before Albania) was Spain. Of course, I wasn’t playing for my club much then and it showed that he (Southgate) still very much trusted me because he played me in that massive game. Maybe the camps after – my biggest regret is just pulling out and how I pulled out.

“Maybe at the time, mentally I wasn’t right. I think playing for your country is a massive privilege and an honour, and I think, at times, I took advantage of that.”

Referencing the difficulties Shaw faced while Jose Mourinho was United manager, he added: “I did have problems at the time, as in injuries, but maybe they were ones that could have been sort of dealt with, but there was a lot on my mind, especially in times I had at United.

“People know what was going on, but Gareth has given me another chance and I need to prove to him I want to be part of this squad.”

Having become United’s outstanding performer this season, Shaw was desperate to get another chance with England. Such is his determination not to let Southgate down again, Shaw did not even tell his parents when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the United manager, told him he would be in the national squad a week ahead of schedule.

 “We had a sit down and my mum and dad were thinking that that might be it for England, but my girlfriend was different,” Shaw said. “She always believed that I would fight my way back into the squad.”


Having been a surprise pick for the 2014 World Cup squad ahead of Ashley Cole, Shaw has missed England’s past two appearances at major tournaments.

Meanwhile, Poland have suffered a massive blow ahead of their trip to England with striker Robert Lewandowski ruled out because of a knee injury.

Lewandowski injured his right knee during Sunday’s victory over Andorra and underwent scans yesterday. The Bayern Munich player is expected to be out for 10 days. 


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