Rio Ferdinand thinks Luke Shaw's brutal claim shows state of Man Utd under Ruben Amorim

Rio Ferdinand believes Luke Shaw's claim about Manchester United sheddingthe "stragglers" in the squad highlights Ruben Amorim's positive effect. Amorim, 40, has taken a no-nonsense approach to United's squad this summer.

One of his first acts was to banish the so-called 'Bomb Squad' featuring Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford. The latter has been loaned to Barcelona, but the other trio were left out of United's pre-season tour in the USA and told they will be training separately from the rest of the squad.

Last season, Sancho, Antony and Rashford were loaned to Chelsea, Real Betis and Aston Villa, respectively, while Garnacho was told to find a new club after he publicly criticised Amorim shortly after United's loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final.

New recruits Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have now been brought in, and Shaw recently praised Amorim's tough love approach that has managed to rid the club of "stragglers" holding the group back.

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Speaking on his the ex-United captain reacted to Shaw's comments. He said: "It was quite a damning statement, wasn't it?

"When I heard that, I was like, 'I wonder what the next meet-up is going to be like if he sees any of those guys.' I think I'd have had something to say about that if I thought it was about me.

"Then you go, 'Maybe they don't say anything, because they might think and know it is true.' But there's a confidence in there with him that goes, 'You know what? They know that I know what went wrong. So I can say this with my chest.'

"That's what it feels like. Also, the environment he is feeling now would have to be a positive one for him to come out and speak like that."

When asked specifically about Shaw's place at Old Trafford and whether he was referencing the aforementioned quartet, Ferdinand added: "His stature within the squad, I noticed it while I was on tour. He has a very strong stature within the squad. He's been there, I think, over 10 years now.

"He has seen it all there. All the bad times, he's seen it. He is one of the most experienced and most Manchester United players within that squad. So, I don't think he has any qualms coming out like that.

"I think you have to have seen enough to be able to go and talk like that. So I think it's a strong statement. I don't think there's any two that he's directed at those four players, because they are the ones sitting on the outside."

Last season was a chastening one for the Red Devils. They finished 15th and only mustered 42 points and 44 goals. Their last chance of redemption in the Europa League final also ended with them losing to Tottenham in a lacklustre fashion.

But the signs are looking positive for the Red Devils, as they won the Premier League Summer Series in the USA. They beat West Ham United 2-1 and Bournemouth 4-1, before drawing 2-2 with Everton.

Of course, the real measure will be how they start the Premier League campaign. Their opening fixtures are ominous, as they host Arsenal, Burnley and Chelsea, while also travelling to Fulham, Manchester City and Brentford in their first six matches.

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