Luke Shaw might no longer be a first choice starter at Manchester United, but he has spent his time on the sidelines closely observing his teammates.
The England international was asked last year which of the United first team squad was the fastest, and he was humble enough not to put himself down as number one.
“Marcus Rashford’s obviously the quickest,” he said, before rounding out the top three with Antonio Valencia and…well, he put himself third.
“I think Anthony [Martial] is more quick with the ball but I’d have to go with [Antonio] Valencia, and I’m putting myself in there as well,” Shaw said.
And the stats have borne him out.
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According to Opta data shared by the club, Rashford became the first United player this season to break 35km/h, setting the high mark during the 2-1 win over Middlesbrough on New Year’s Eve.
Rashford has been United’s fastest player on nine occasions this season, including the recent 1-1 draw with Stoke City, and only Anthony Martial has recorded a faster time than his teammate over the last two seasons.
Valencia, Jesse Lingard and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were also the quickest on the park on occasion, while Shaw laid claim to that honour just once during the current campaign.
