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Mourinho ‘really happy’ with Luke Shaw

Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Luke Shaw, describing him as one of the best left backs out there.

Shaw has had a challenging time at Manchester United, especially under Jose Mourinho, who has questioned the players ability, attitude and form on numerous occasions in the last 18 months.

At times, he has been Manchester United’s fourth choice at left back, behind the likes of Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian and Ashley Young. Young had established himself as the first choice this season, before being moved over to the right to cover an injury to Antonio Valencia.

With Valencia due to return from that injury this weekend, and Young due to return from a three match suspension, Shaw potentially faced a return to the sidelines, but speaking in he’s pre match press conference today, Jose Mourinho took time to lavish praise on the English defender:

“He’s played very well. He was already improving and playing well when I start playing him after that long spell without minutes. I remember the first time, in the Champions League [against CSKA Moscow], he was coming step by step.

“And now with a good run of matches and continuity also, playing like he did against Everton two days after a previous match – he’s been good, solid, physically much better, mentally much stronger, tactically understanding the game much better and what we need in different phases and circumstances.

“I’m really happy. You like the transfer market. I can say that in this moment I don’t see many left-backs better than this Luke Shaw.”

Shaw didn’t play a single minute of football in United’s first 16 Premier League games of the season. However, since then he has started five of the last seven Premier League games as he continues to impress his boss.

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The 22-year-old has recently admitted that he feels like he is in the best shape of his career and that we was hopeful that he could force his way into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.

United have been linked with the likes of Danny Rose and Alex Sandro.