Shaw: I will prove Jose wrong
LUKE SHAW says Jose Mourinho’s stinging criticism has been “hard to take” but dismissed suggestions it will force him to quit Manchester United this summer.
Mourinho criticised Shaw’s fitness, focus, commitment and ambition at the weekend, then heaped further embarrassment on the defender by claiming he used “his body with my brain” after bringing him on as a substitute in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Everton.
But Shaw said: “Sometimes I tend to keep it low-profile but obviously, with the stuff that has been going on, it is hard to take because, deep down, that is not me as a person.
“Like Jose said, he wants to see me fighting – and I will fight to the last second because I want to be here for the club. I’m working really hard at the moment, now more than ever.
“I am going through a phase where everything is going against me, but I want this so badly and I want to prove everyone wrong.
“I want to play for the manager and I want to help this team get back to the top. I’m keeping my head up and I’m going to fight to the last. I’m not going to give up.”
Shaw, who has started only two games since the end of November, says that he has been encouraged by messages of support from United fans.
“It is easy for them to see those comments and turn on me,” he said. “But they have been so good to me, especially over the last couple of days. It is something I won’t forget for a long time because it means a lot to me.
“I don’t want to let them down and I’ll fight for each and every one of them.”
Shaw made an impact when he came on against Everton at Old Trafford. It was his shot that was handled by Ashley Williams and allowed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score the equaliser from the penalty spot in added time.