In almost seven years at Manchester United, Luke Shaw has missed all four major finals the club has reached and appeared in only two semi-finals.
Shaw, a contender to place the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year statue back on his mantelpiece, was recovering from a broken leg during the 2016 FA Cup final and sidelined with a foot injury for the 2017 Europa League final triumph. He was fit but overlooked by Jose Mourinho for the 2017 EFL Cup win, as well as the 2018 FA Cup final.
For the Europa League victory in Stockholm, he was a member of the 'crutch crew'. Shaw, Ashley Young, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Marcos Rojo all needed support in their recovery from surgery and the suspended Eric Bailly wielded Ibrahimovic's crutch in celebration.
"Of course, I was extremely happy for the players but I think everyone will agree that when you are not involved, not playing and don't have the kit on it's not the same," Shaw reflected. "On the other hand, I was very happy for the club to win that trophy and for my teammates. Of course I want to be playing and luckily tomorrow I am.
"It is a massive motivation [to play in a final]. I've been quite unfortunate not to be involved in semi-finals and finals, so I'm looking forward to stepping out in one.
"But, from a team point of view, it's very important. We've missed out on a few. But we have real belief that we can make it. It's a game we're ready for."
Shaw sheepishly collected the Sir Matt Busby statue in 2019 the day after he went viral via a clip of his lethargic running in the embarrassing draw with relegated Huddersfield that consigned United to Europa League football.
United's form fell off a cliff in the run-in that season, when they won two of their last 12 games. Shaw endured a dismal start to the current campaign, when he was culpable for goals in the home defeats to Crystal Palace and Tottenham, while he inexplicably avoided expulsion in the latter hammering.
He has recovered to become one of United's most pivotal and creative players, and regained his place in the England squad. Shaw seems a shoe-in for the Premier League Team of the Year at left-back, too.
At the age of 25, is he playing the best football of his career? "Yes, definitely. Like you said there, the season I won the player of the year, you could have just picked anyone out of a hat, there wasn't a standout.
"This season has been my best, I'm enjoying it but I can keep getting better and give more for the team, I need to be doing that. Just keep going, keep my head down and what will come will come."
Sat next to his manager, Shaw did not need nudging who to single out for his improvement. "A lot of things. One of them is the manager. And I'm not just saying that as he's sat next to me! He's one of them.
"Myself, as well, I've changed a lot of things and added belief. I believe in myself more and I'm more confident. I am just enjoying playing football again and that is a very important thing to have in our job. You need to enjoy it."
Shaw drew praise from supporters inside and outside United last week with his clear condemnation of the Super League. Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes effectively denounced the concept online but Shaw was compelled to issue a statement chimed with football followers.
"Of course that is done now," Shaw said. "The decision has been made, personally I think it was the right decision. That's that. There was a lot of emotion last week but it has been dealt with now. We're professionals and we need to put this behind us. We're in European competition and one we are looking forward to."
