SHAW THING

Lukaku: Luke is our player of season

ROMELU LUKAKU rates Luke Shaw as Manchester United’s player of the year.

And the striker revealed he knew the “mentally tough” England leftback would deliver after seeing videos of his summer workout sessions.

Shaw suffered a double leg-break in September 2015 but has refound his old form after taking a club fitness trainer on holiday to Dubai. He scored his first Reds goal on opening day and provided an assist for Lukaku in a superb display against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

“He’s our player of the season,” said the Belgium World Cup star. “For us, from the start of the season until now he’s been the most consistent.

“It’s due to his preparation. We were in touch the whole summer when I was in Russia. I used to get videos of him working out and stuff, and I knew this year would be his year.

“That’s what I told him as well, at the end of last season, that he has the potential to be the England left-back for many, many years, and for Manchester United the same. It’s about being that guy.”

Shaw came under fire from Jose Mourinho, but the manager believed there was a “big click” with the 23-year-old this season and Shaw was rewarded with a new long-term deal before the Portuguese was fired in December.

“The previous criticism didn’t hurt him,” added Lukaku. “People who don’t know Luke don’t know he’s mentally a really tough guy.”

In contrast to the previous unhappy regime, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has overseen a club record eight away wins in a row.

And Lukaku praised the former Reds star. “He’s really open, really honest, and keeps me hungry, so whenever I get a chance to play I just want what’s best for the team,” he said. “It’s really helpful he’s a former striker. So now I’m here with Ole I’m learning a lot, and every day’s another day to learn, another day to improve.”