Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho blasts Luke Shaw: ‘You’re a long way behind Ashley Young, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind’
Special One on the attack again, criticising his young £33million full-back's commitment, focus and ambition
JOSE MOURINHO has slammed Luke Shaw again, criticising his commitment, focus AND ambition.
In a stinging rebuke, the Manchester United boss said Shaw is a “long way behind” his fellow full-backs at Old Trafford.
The £33million England star once again failed to make the 18-man squad for Saturday’s goalless draw against West Brom, with Ashley Young used at left-back.
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Mourinho said: “It’s difficult for him to be on the bench. Why? Because I cannot compare him with Ashley Young, with Darmian, with Blind.
"I cannot compare the way he trains, the way he way he commits, the focus, the ambition. I cannot compare. He is a long way behind.”
It was put to Mourinho that Shaw, 21, is an England international so should be offering more. He replied: "Joe Hart is an English international and is playing on loan in Italy."
It seems unlikely there will be any way back for Shaw under Mourinho. The Portuguese is ready to look for a new specialist left-back in the summer with Celtic teenager Kieran Tierney on his wanted list.
Meanwhile, Mourinho confirmed he expects midfielder Juan Mata to be out for a long time after groin surgery. The United chief did not put a timescale on the Spain international's return. But he said: "I think it's a long time. I think Mata, Jones and Smalling will all be a long time."
Mourinho welcomes back Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera from suspension for Tuesday night's clash with Everton. There is also an outside chance Paul Pogba could return from the hamstring injury he suffered just before the international break.
Mourinho said: "With Pogba I cannot say he is ready for Tuesday because I don’t know, but I don’t think Pogba is such a long-term injury as the others."