It may have taken him longer than expected to achieve that standing, after suffering a career-threatening leg break that was followed by a challenging period out of the team, but he is finally there and looks set to be an important figure under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this coming campaign.
The boss is determined to build a young and hungry squad that will work hard, and that intent was signalled by his capture of 21-year-old forward Daniel James from Swansea City earlier this month.
Shaw has experienced how it feels to join United as a hot prospect from another British club – which was Southampton, in his case – and he will presumably be well-placed to help any new recruits to settle in this summer.