Luke Shaw played over 100 minutes on his first start for Man United in 434 days against Bournemouth on Sunday.
Ruben Amorim did not plan to play Luke Shaw for 90 minutes in Manchester United’s 1-1 Premier League draw with Bournemouth.
Shaw made his first start for United in 434 days at the Vitality Stadium and played more than 100 minutes, including the amount of added time in both halves.
United were endeavouring to equalise heading into added time and Shaw contributed to Rasmus Hojlund’s 96th-minute leveller when his cross was diverted towards goal by Manuel Ugarte.
“It was not the plan to have 90 minutes but you need to win games,” Amorim said. “And you could feel that he was overloaded in that part of the field.
“He’s really good on crosses, he’s really good in the final third decision, he has a lot of quality. When we are losing or drawing, you don’t think about the next game. You need to win. I was not focused on the next game.”
Amorim clarified Noussair Mazraoui was unhurt after he was fouled by Evanilson, who was sent off following an intervention by the VAR. Mazraoui was substituted shortly after Evanilson’s 70th-minute expulsion.
“I think he’s okay,” Amorim confirmed. “He’ll be ready but in these kind of situations, in this moment, anything that could be a danger for a player that in one position, we lost (Diogo) Dalot, we tried to save that.
“Nothing to say (on Evanilson’s tackle). It’s Premier League and we need to play like that because it’s the way we want the game. Sometimes things happen but I have nothing to say about that.”
Hojlund ended a seven-game goal drought, having stayed on even after academy striker Chido Obi was sent on. That marked the first time United had two out-and-out strikers on the pitch at the same time under Amorim.
Amorim said last week he planned to play Hojlund as it would do more harm than good to remove him from the firing line. The Dane has now scored nine goals for United this term.
“I see the trainings, I see the way they behave, I see the way they want to improve, I see the games also,” Amorim explained, “and I try to put the best XI to win games, that’s all.
“I want to support my players. I was a player, sometimes you have bad moments, difficult moments in a big club. So I think it was a good moment for him but it’s just a goal. Let’s focus on Thursday.”
