Ruben Amorim’s veteran Man Utd ‘man’ is only player who shows ‘trust’ for vital role in system, claims Theo Walcott
Theo Walcott has identified the linchpin Manchester United player who can now make Ruben Amorim’s tactical system tick from a key role on the pitch.
Ruben Amorim is now riding high on the wave of momentum after Manchester United turned around their mixed run of form in the 2025-26 season.
The 40-year-old United manager has finally been able to chalk up back-to-back Premier League wins at Old Trafford since his arrival from Sporting CP.
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Amorim watched United beat Sunderland 2-0 in the Premier League at Old Trafford ahead of the October international break before turning his attention to Liverpool.
United visited Liverpool’s Anfield stadium in the aftermath of the international fixtures and the Red Devils sealed a sensational 2-1 win over their fierce rivals.
Amorim received a further morale boost for his Red Devils first-team squad on Saturday afternoon, with United defeating Brighton 4-2 at Old Trafford.
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Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Why Theo Walcott has singled out Luke Shaw after Man Utd’s run of form under Ruben Amorim
Luke Shaw found himself undergoing a positional change as part of Ruben Amorim’s tactical system, with the left-back becoming a left-sided centre-back in the backline.
The 30-year-old Manchester United star has been a key player for Red Devils boss Amorim amid the absence of the injured Lisandro Martinez from first-team action.
Luke Shaw showed his importance with the major role that he played in United’s 4-2 Premier League win over Brighton at Old Trafford on the weekend.
The England international started the match as the left-sided centre-back, but Shaw was seen moving forward into the midfield at times during Saturday’s match.
Shaw provided additional support for both Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in the United midfield and ensured that the two-man pivot wasn’t overrun by Brighton.
Speaking on The Overlap US’ ‘It’s Called Soccer!’ podcast, Theo Walcott said: “The team are understanding the way to play in his system now.
“When you have three at the back, you always have to have one of the centre-backs coming out into the midfield to be a third midfielder.
“Luke Shaw is that man doing that because he’s the one out of all the players that you trust to be able to cover as well.”
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Theo Walcott explains what Luke Shaw is doing in Ruben Amorim’s tactical system for Man Utd
Walcott suggested that Luke Shaw’s makeshift midfield role is fundamentally important if Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha are playing at the same time.
“They need that if Bruno [Fernandes] and Cunha are going to work in the same team because I wasn’t so sure if they could really operate in the same team,” he added.
Walcott continued: “It felt like two players [who] want to be in the same positions.
“However, once you get players who can step out, be confident and have that trust behind them, that’s no problem and this system works.”
Nottingham Forest are up next in United’s Premier League schedule and the Red Devils will visit City Ground for their first match of November on Saturday.
