Luke Shaw is close to getting a new, improved contract at Manchester United before the end of the season, according to reports. The 22-year-old has won over United manager Jose Mourinho, who was once expected to sell the player because of his recurrent injury problems and poor attitude.

But the defender has forced his way back into Mourinho’s first-team plans by dishing out some impressive performances this season, starting 5 of the last 7 games since recovering from a hamstring injury. The United manager has been pleased lately with Shaw, who still has 18 months left on his £80,000-a-week contract after the club triggered a one-year option last year to automatically extend his deal into 2019.

But now, according to the Daily Mirror, the left-back will be handed a long-term deal to commit his future to the club.

Shaw joined United from Southampton following his involvement in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He had a mixed debut campaign with the Red Devils under then manager Louis van Gaal before suffering a horrific double leg-break a year later in a Champions League group-stage game against PSV Eindhoven.

The left full-back’s return to full fitness and form has certainly impressed the fans as well as Mourinho.

“I’m really happy and, I can say that in this moment I don’t see many left-backs better than this Luke Shaw,” Mourinho praised Shaw last month.

For the best part of 2017, it looked as though Shaw’s time at Old Trafford would be up anytime soon as he initially failed to convince our boss. But since bulldozing his way back into Mourinho’s plans, the England international has not looked back. He has been fantastic on the left, marauding up and down that flank with agility and pace while being defensively solid as well.

There is no doubt Shaw has made a strong comeback since receiving scathing criticism from our manager last year. The full-back did take the criticism on his chin and remained determined to win the manager’s heart.

Now that he’s done it, Shaw has to be consistent with his performances week in and week out. The 22-year-old has done really well in the past few months and he could genuinely turn out to be a future star at Old Trafford provided he avoids his injury problems and keeps himself fit.