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Luke Shaw reveals how he responded to criticism from former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho
Talking to BBC Sport (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester United defender Luke Shaw mentioned the struggles he faced under former manager Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese took charge of the club in the summer of 2016. By then, the English left-back had been at the club for two years since signing from Southampton in 2014.
In his first two full seasons at the club, Mourinho handed Shaw just 17 league starts in total. This is as many games as the 25-year-old has started under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the league this season. (h/t Transfermarkt)
Mourinho publicly berated Shaw on more than one instance during his tenure at United.
Mourinho infamously stole credit for a good performance from Shaw against Everton in 2017 by saying that “he had a good performance but it was his body with my brain.” (h/t Manchester Evening News)
Shaw wants to keep improving
Talking about his struggles under Mourinho, Shaw mentioned that while it was hard to keep his head up amid the negative comments, he never stopped working hard in training.
“It was a very hard time a couple of years back when I wasn’t playing, when I wasn’t even involved. I always believed in myself.
The England international stated that he did not intend to leave Old Trafford even during his dark spells. And he now thinks that he is starting to show his potential under Solskjaer.
“I always believed that one day I would be able to fight my way back into the team and show people what my qualities are. I feel like I am starting to do that now.”
Shaw also says that he is still young and can improve even more. He has not let injuries affect him too much and he wants to keep proving his doubters wrong.
More Manchester United News:
- Manchester United fans react as Scott McTominay leads the club into the FA Cup quarter-finals
- Manchester United to wait until the summer before making a decision on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
- Jamie Carragher expresses sympathy for Manchester United skipper Harry Maguire
His improvement is certainly out there for all to see. Many thought that signing Alex Telles in the summer would threaten Shaw’s starting place, but the Englishman has thrived under the competition and has bettered himself.
