LUKE AT ME NOW , JOSE

SHAW mjoemcetajtnomsleaar-en-, hchaidnemtohat Defender has been transformed.. from Mourinho reject to United’s lean, mean Salah pocketin his machine who tamed Salah for 90 minutes for min90

LUKE SHAW’S Manchester United career looked doomed when Jose Mourinho called him out publicly in the most humiliating manner.

Shaw had come on as a second-half substitute against Everton at Old Trafford, with Mourinho in his ear on the touchline until the final whistle, telling him what to do.

“He was in front of me and I was making every decision for him,” said Mourinho (with Shaw, below). “He has to change his football brain. He cannot play with my brain.

“He must accelerate the process. He has a future here but Manchester United cannot wait.”

That was four years ago, but United did wait and Shaw’s future is looking brighter than ever, following his man-of-thematch display in Sunday’s goalless draw at Liverpool (in action against Mo Salah, above).

Shaw was the game’s stand-out performer, defensively disciplined and providing an attacking threat down the left that should have yielded a late winner for United.

It has been a remarkable turnaround for the 25-year-old, who struggled under former United bosses Mourinho and Louis van Gaal, but who is rejuvenated under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Physically and mentally, he looks the sharpest he has been since joining United from Southampton for £30million in 2014, with an England recall for the Euros on the cards.

From being made to train alone by Van Gaal on his first pre-season tour with United because he was “overweight”, to the broken leg that cost him a season and the public shaming by Mourinho, Shaw has been through some testing times.

But it is testimony to his mental fortitude and character that he has emerged from those low points to remain United’s first-choice left-back, crediting Solskjaer and team-mate Alex Telles, signed to provide competition for

Shaw, for helping him produce his best form.

“I feel really good, obviously big credit to Ole for that,“said Shaw (in action for United in 2017 and earlier this month, above). ”For believing in me and pushing me.

“Alex as well, we have a great relationship and he pushes me each day in training. It’s nice to have that type of competition.

“When he plays, I want the best for him, and it’s the same the other way round. It’s a positive way for both of us to look at it and push each other.”

Shaw nullified the threat of Liverpool duo Salah and Sadio Mane, while offensively he was a threat in the second half.

“That’s why you come to clubs like this,” Shaw said. “To play against the best players in massive matches.

“You always look forward to ones like this, because they’re going to test you. They’re the best in their positions, both of them. But we all defended really well.”

League leaders United, who go to Fulham tomorrow, have not lost away in the league for a year, but Shaw said the overriding feeling at Anfield was one of a missed opportunity.

“The dressing room was very flat,” added Shaw. “It’s not what we wanted. We came to

win.”