Shaw vows to win over Jose and reclaim place
LUKE SHAW has vowed to knuckle down and fight for his place at Manchester United — even though he is not convinced he has a future there.
Shaw, 21, came through a practice match in front of Jose Mourinho on Friday, days after being publicly berated by the manager for his late withdrawal from last weekend’s 3-1 win at Swansea. Shaw (above) joined other United players not on international duty in a game against the club’s under-23s side at the Carrington training ground.
The left-back, who was signed from Southampton for £30million two years ago, hopes he has convinced Mourinho of his fitness and desire, and that he has done enough to play at home to Arsenal on Saturday.
He and Chris Smalling had been singled out by Mourinho who claimed some of his players lacked the mental toughness to play through pain.
LUKE SHAW has come through a full practice match in front of Jose Mourinho as he tries to convince the Manchester United manager he should play against Arsenal on Saturday and deserves a future at Old Trafford.
Shaw, 21, has confided to friends he fears he might not feature in Mourinho’s long-term plans, with some of the treatment from United’s boss going beyond the usual comments of a manager trying to geeup a young player.
But the left-back, who missed last Sunday’s victory at Swansea City, has vowed to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
On Friday, he joined other United players not on international duty in a competitive game against the club’s Under- 23s at their Carrington training ground.
Mourinho watched as Michael Carrick, Marcos Rojo, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Ashley Young also played as the seniors recorded a 2-0 victory. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was also in training but excused playing.
Matters with Mourinho came to a head after United’s win against Swansea when the manager claimed some of his players lacked mental toughness to play through pain, and said Shaw had withdrawn on the morning of the match.
Shaw — and Chris Smalling, who has subsequently been diagnosed with a broken toe — have since been defended by PFA chief Gordon Taylor and England manager Gareth Southgate. Southgate said Shaw still had ‘physical and psychological aspects’ to deal with after breaking his leg in two places against PSV Eindhoven at the start of last season.
However, the youngster is determined he won’t give up his place and has vowed to win over Mourinho.
Shaw, who still has two-and-a-half years on his contract, became one of the world’s most expensive teenagers when he signed for United from Southampton for £27million in the summer of 2014.
Defender Antonio Valencia, meanwhile, is pushing for an early return only three weeks after breaking his arm against Manchester City.
Valencia had surgery for the injury sustained on October 27 but could be ready to face Arsenal.