Former Arsenal striker and Sky Sports commentator Alan Smith thinks that Luke Shaw’s recall to the England squad will do him the ‘power of good’.
Shaw has been widely criticised by Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese’s two years at the club, slamming his fitness, his performances, and his tactical naivety at one stage or another.
However, he has started this season in excellent form for the Red Devils, displaying the kind of form that persuaded Louis van Gaal to sanction a £30 million move for the former Southampton left-back, even bagging the first goal of his professional career in Man Utd’s Premier League opener against Leicester.
His form has been rewarded by a recall to the England squad, with Alan Smith thinking it will only help him maintain his form.
“There has been some lows there where he [Shaw] has been publicly criticised. I did see the game up at Old Trafford on Monday night and I was looking at him with interest,” he told Sky Sports.
“Every time Luke did something, Jose Mourinho would be applauding on the sideline, whenever Shaw came past him he gave him a pat on the back – you could see the manager was actively trying to encourage him.
“He [Jose] seemed more impressed than he has been. It always helps if you are getting a regular game, especially for someone with Luke’s body shape – he needs to be playing, he needs to have that match sharpness.
“It wasn’t so long ago he was tearing up and down that wing for Southampton, we were all thinking he was going to be the next big thing and there is no reason why he can’t get back to that level.
“He is working his way towards that position and this England recall is going to really boost his confidence. It will do him the power of good.”
