Shaw eyes trophies after penning new United deal
LUKE Shaw has signed a new five-year contract at Manchester United, bringing an end to speculation over his Old Trafford future.
Shaw’s previous contract was set to expire at the end of the season, allowing him to leave United on a free transfer this summer.
However, after a string of impressive performances as United’s starting left-back this season, the 23-year-old has signed renewed terms at Old Trafford until 2023, with the option of an additional year.
Shaw said: “Since I came to United, it’s been a whirlwind four years which have passed so quickly. I am very proud to sign my new contract and continue my stay at this great club.
“I want to thank everybody that has stood by me and shown me huge support — the management, my team-mates and the fans.”
Jose Mourinho, the United manager, said: “Luke fully deserves this contract. He understood his development process, he has worked really hard at every level and he always believes in himself which is a great attribute to have.
“Luke is still young and is improving all the time and he must feel very proud of himself. I am delighted that we are keeping such a talented young English player with a bright future ahead of him.”
Shaw has endured a difficult four years at United since joining from Southampton in a £27m deal, then a British record for a teenager.
The England international suffered a serious leg break while playing under Louis van Gaal in September 2015 and has still made just 75 appearances since arriving from St Mary’s in 2014.
His relationship with Mourinho has also proved turbulent, with the United manager publicly criticising his performances on several occasions.
The left-back has played his way back into favour however, establishing himself as a regular starter under the Portuguese this season and recently winning back a place in Gareth Southgate’s national side.
“I want to let everyone know that I will give everything I have to repay them and deliver success over the years to come,” he said.
“I’m still very young with a lot more to learn and I can’t wait to continue my progress under Jose Mourinho.
“I think I knew how important this season was going to be, especially the start of it coming in the last year of (my contract).
“I’m really happy to be in this form and over the pre-season I was working very hard to make sure that I gave myself the best opportunity to be able to put myself in the team, and thankfully I have done that.
“The hard work isn’t over. I want to stay in the team now and keep the shirt so I’ll keep going, keep focused and keep concentrating. That’s what I’m going to be doing.”
Shaw’s form has been one of the few positives for United this season, with Mourinho under heavy scrutiny following a difficult start to the campaign that has seen the club lose three of their opening eight top-flight fixtures.
The 23-year-old is convinced better times lie ahead, adding: “I think personally it’s only a matter of time that the success is going to be coming back.
“I can see the team that we have here. We have an amazing group of players and the talent we have is scary, there are a lot of young lads hungry for trophies.”
Shaw’s renewal leaves 10 members of United’s first-team squad on contracts which will expire in June 2019, including goalkeeper David de Gea and forward Anthony Martial.
De Gea and Martial’s contracts contain one-year extension clauses that can be automatically triggered by United, though the club remain in negotiations with the representatives of both players.