In that podcast, Phil De Brun says that he has to "choose his words carefully", but then goes onto say:
Yeah, I'm not really sure, but, um, I think Shaw struggles with depression a bit, um, yeah, don't attack me.
Because football isn't black and white.
Essentially, those who have doubts keep ignoring the facts:
1) Luke Shaw suffered a double leg fracture at the beginning of last season. Prior to that horrific injury - and yes it's a small sample size but it's all we have - he produced some excellent form. The main criticism most of us had was regarding his attacking; not defending. There was the game against Swansea away where he was lazy in tracking back, but that was an anomaly.
2) In Shaw's first three league games of the season, he produced an alright performance against Bournemouth, a good performance against Southampton, and a very good performance against Hull. However, it seems as though he was playing through adrenaline as he's failed to produce anything worthwhile since. Physically and mentally, he's still not 100%. He got ripped apart by two very average players in Navas and Lens. That says enough but it''s normal.
3) Players recover at different rates. Valencia came back and was a beast in the second half of 10/11... and was POTY in 11/12. Conversely, it took Ramsey a while before he looked like a competent footballer. Arsenal boards were full of the same "hate" - easily worse - and revisionism we are witnessing here. In the second half of 12/13, he started to perform well. He then went onto have an amazing 13/14 season. And quite recently, he had an amazing EURO 2016 tournament and was
arguably the best player in the whole thing.
4) This one isn't important, but I still see it here... with some clutching at straws. Van Gaal's honest criticism of Shaw's fitness levels was not an attack on the player himself. It was an honest observation.
Luke Shaw praised by Louis van Gaal after playing second half for Manchester United against Inter Milan
Luke Shaw praised by Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal
Louis van Gaal defends Manchester United’s Luke Shaw on fitness claims
Anyway, everything that's happened/happening with Shaw is normal. The only thing I disagree with is Mourinho's criticism post-Watford match. No need for it, but other than that... I'm not concerned one bit. I'd rather he didn't start until he regains his confidence and physical levels. Doesn't necessarily have to be at peak level, but it has to be superior to what we've obviously seen so far. Will be amazing to see what Mourinho does with Shaw, and I'm more than certain that he's going to reproduce what we know he's capable of.