Luke Shaw Is Struggling At Manchester United – Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has acknowledged England left-back Luke Shaw is enduring a testing period in his Old Trafford career due to illness and injury.

Shaw, 21, spent most of last season recovering from a double leg break sustained in September 2015 and has made only 12 starts since Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal in the close season.

Despite reports Shaw could be on his way out, Mourinho gave no indication that United are open to offers for him, but he did concede the former Southampton player is having a tough time of it.

Asked if Shaw’s history of injuries was counting against him, Mourinho replied: “Of course. You try to have in the squad the players with more minutes, the players in better shape, in better condition.

“In Luke Shaw’s case, even in the (FA Cup) game against Reading, when he could have started the game and had 90 minutes, in the morning of the game he was ill and not ready to play.

“So even in that match, which could have been good for him, he was not able to play, so he’s having a difficult period.”

Shaw’s fortunes contrast with those of Marouane Fellaini, who appears to have won over his critics, having been booed by his own supporters after conceding a costly penalty at Everton in early December.

The Belgium midfielder scored a valuable goal in United’s recent League Cup semifinal first-leg win over Hull City and helped set up a late equaliser in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

His improved displays have prompted United to grant him a one-year contract extension.

“I think the fans turned back in his favour after he went back to good performances,” Mourinho told reporters at United’s training base west of Manchester on Friday.

“He’s showing great character and the fans are showing great respect and great knowledge about his contribution.”