Luke Shaw has been handed a possible lifeline by Jose Mourinho after the Manchester United boss included him in the squad for tonight’s game against Everton.
Shaw’s inclusion comes just three days after Mourinho questioned the 21-year-old’s commitment, focus and ambition in a scathing press conference that seemingly ended Shaw’s United career.
“Luke Shaw? It’s difficult for him to be on the bench because I cannot compare him with Ashley Young, with Matteo Darmian, with Daley Blind,” Mourinho said after leaving the left-back out of the squad for Saturday’s draw against West Brom, per the Mirror.
“I cannot compare the way he trains, the way he commits, the focus, the ambition.
“I cannot compare. He’s a long way behind.”
But Shaw is in the squad for this evening’s game at Old Trafford. According to the Daily Mail, the full-back requested clear-the-air talks with Mourinho at United’s training ground on Monday morning and, perhaps impressed with Shaw’s response to his comments, the Portuguese has made Shaw a part of his plans once again.
It’s hard to imagine Shaw playing any minutes - after all, he hasn’t played in exactly a month - but the fact that he’s back in the fold is a positive start.
Shaw's fall
Shaw’s demise at Old Trafford has been a major surprise considering he was once the most expensive teenager in world football.
But fitness has always been an issue for Shaw since his arrival from Southampton in 2014. Louis van Gaal put Shaw on a personal fitness plan shortly after he signed.
Seemingly realising that it’s now or never for Shaw, the Telegraph have reported that he is doing extra gym work at home in order to improve his fitness.
It’s a little late in the season now, but Mourinho might be happy that the penny has finally dropped.
It might not be enough
However, Shaw’s late efforts to save his Man United career might not be enough. The Mail add that the Red Devils will listen to offers in the summer and are hoping to recoup £27 million for the player.
A move to Tottenham Hotspur - and a reunion with former Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino - has been mooted, and it’s a move that makes sense for all parties considering Pochettino helped turn the left-back into a star at St Mary’s.