Luke Shaw is line to start for Manchester United when the season begins. What is his record like in season openers?
Manchester United’s longest serving player is Luke Shaw, who signed for the club way back in 2014.
Shaw, 31, is still Manchester United’s first choice left-back, and last season he enjoyed his first injury-free campaign, starting all 38 Premier League games.
It has not always been smooth-sailing for Shaw. As we begin the build-up to Manchester United’s season opener against Hull City, we are looking back at the defender’s record in opening kick-offs.
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2014: Did not play
Luke Shaw did not play in Manchester United’s season opener in 2014. It was a disastrous result with Louis van Gaal’s side beaten 2-1 at home by Swansea City.
2015: Shaw stars in United win
In 2015, Luke Shaw started as Manchester United defeated Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 in the opening game of the season.
Shaw and Matteo Darmian started at full-back, and United edged a win with Kyle Walker scoring an own goal.
Unfortunately Shaw’s season was cut short weeks later after a horrific injury against PSV Eindhoven.
2016: Did not play
Still recovering the injury, Shaw was not part of the squad as Jose Mourinho’s United beat Bournemouth 3-1 away from home.
2017: Did not play
Shaw was not selected in the squad in Manchester United’s season opener in 2017, a 4-0 victory over West Ham.
2018: Scores the winner vs Leicester
Luke Shaw opened the season perfectly for Manchester United in 2018, scoring the winner in the 83rd minute in a tight game against Leicester City.
This rare goal was the only goal Shaw scored in the 2018/19 season, and Jose Mourinho was fired in December.
2019: Easy win vs Chelsea
Luke Shaw was a footnote in Manchester United’s 4-0 win over Chelsea, with new teammates Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka taking the headlines in defence.
By this point, Shaw had firmly re-established himself as a regular for United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
2020: Defeat vs Palace
Shaw and United were beaten 3-1 at home by Crystal Palace as a delayed season began without fans in attendance.
2021: 5-1 win vs Leeds
This was more like it. Arguably the best opening game over the past decade saw Manchester United demolish Leeds at Old Trafford.
Shaw started for United in defence on a day Bruno Fernandes scored his first ever hat-trick for the club, with Paul Pogba providing four assists.
2022: Loss to Brighton
Erik ten Hag’s starting back four in 2022 was Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire.
This could be the same starting XI that kicks off the season in 2026. Four years ago United began with a 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton.
2023: Win vs Wolves
Back to winning ways, United just about managed a 1-0 win over Wolves thanks to a header from Raphael Varane.
The visitors had many of the better chances and United were fortunate to get away without conceding a penalty for a late Andre Onana foul.
2024: Did not play
After Euro 2024, Luke Shaw suffered an injury during pre-season and was not fit to play the opener against Fulham. United won 1-0 thanks to a late Joshua Zirkzee strike.
2025: Defeat to Arsenal
Luke Shaw started at centre-back in Ruben Amorim’s system to start the opener against Arsenal. The Red Devils fell to a narrow 1-0 loss.
Overall record
Manchester United have been awfully inconsistent during Luke Shaw’s time at the club.
His overall record in season-openers is as follows…
- Did not play: 4
- Wins: 5
- Defeats: 3
- Draws: 0
The last time Shaw started in a Manchester United win to open the season was 2023, and he will be hoping to get back to winning ways in 2026.
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