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Manchester United extended Luke Shaw’s contract over the summer, with defender tied down until 2019

England left-back has been told by boss Jose Mourinho to improve to force his way back into his first-team plans

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LUKE SHAW had his Manchester United contract extended BEFORE the start of the season.

Shaw, 22, has been told by Jose Mourinho to improve to force his way back into his first-team plans.

 Luke Shaw came off the bench to make his injury comeback against Burton
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Luke Shaw came off the bench to make his injury comeback against BurtonCredit: Rex Features
 Jose Mourinho has called on defender Shaw to earn his first-team spot
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Jose Mourinho has called on defender Shaw to earn his first-team spotCredit: Rex Features

But he got backing over the summer to prove himself at Old Trafford when his deal was lengthened until 2019.

The ex-Southampton full-back’s previous terms ended at the end of the current campaign but SunSport can reveal his extra year has been triggered.

Shaw was recovering from ankle surgery over the summer and only returned to full fitness over the last international break.

Before Mourinho’s arrival, his United career suffered a blow after a broken leg suffered against PSV in a Champions League clash in 2015.

Gareth Southgate has called him into the England squad since his recovery but last week he was on the bench for United in the EFL Cup clash against Burton.

Mourinho last week asked for improvement from the England full-back.

 Luke Shaw's United career has been hit by injury problems
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Luke Shaw's United career has been hit by injury problemsCredit: Reuters
 Jose Mourinho needs Shaw to realise his potential and hold down the left-back spot
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Jose Mourinho needs Shaw to realise his potential and hold down the left-back spotCredit: Rex Features

The Special One said: "Look, he doesn't play for six months. I am not expecting him to arrive on Wednesday and to be man of the match or to be running up and down for 45 minutes.

"It's just a process. He doesn't play for a long, long time.

"You have other players in the Premier League that in this moment who are not starting matches and their managers just say 'they're not in the best conditions'.

 Luke Shaw joined Manchester United from Southampton in 2014
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Luke Shaw joined Manchester United from Southampton in 2014Credit: Rex Features

"And we're speaking about some of the best players of the Premier League. I heard last week the Chelsea manager saying that, I heard Arsenal manager said that.

"The players are not in their ideas, in their analysis, they're not in the best form after important injuries and long time without playing.

"Luke had surgery and a long time without playing football. I cannot expect him to be back and to be strong, strong, strong in his work."

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