Manchester United -defender Luke Shaw has supported Ruben Amorim's compromiseless approach to improve the standards in the dressing room and said that the atmosphere had sometimes been “pretty toxic”.
Amorim took the lead on the struggle of United in November and demanded more commitment from the team. He also froze key figures such as Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, who belonged to one of the five players who wanted to leave the club in the narrow season.
“I have often been here in recent years, it is extremely negative,” says Shaw, a united player since 2014, in an interview with the BBC that was published on Wednesday.
“It can be quite toxic, the environment, it is not at all healthy … We need an environment that is healthy, that is positive, that has good energy and happiness. If you have all those things, you feel free and you express more.
“Ruben brings requirements. Mentality is a big thing. He talks a lot about it … He demands 100% and wants nothing less. If someone does 85-90%, it is not enough. I think, especially this year, if you don't do the right things, you won't play.”
Amorim was uncompromising when he questioned Rashford's work percentage and said he would rather choose the goalkeeper coach than half-hearted players.
Rashford is on loan from Barcelona, while British media reports have connected Garnacho with a move to Chelsea or Aston Villa.
“The manager is not bothered. He doesn't care who the player is. It should be. Whatever he wants, as players, we have to deliver, and we fully support that,” Shaw added.
United, who finished 15th last season and lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur, starts the new campaign at home against Arsenal on August 17.