Luke Shaw told to ‘pull his finger out’ by Phil Neville to save his Manchester United career after being left out of squad again for West Brom bore draw
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LUKE SHAW has been told to "pull his finger out" to save his Manchester United career by former Red Devils full-back Phil Neville.
Shaw's troubled Old Trafford career was pitched into fresh doubt after United boss Jose Mourinho said he was "a long way behind" his team-mates.
That was after he was left out of the squad for United's Premier League draw against West Brom, despite being fit to play.
Mourinho added: "I cannot compare the way he trains, the way he commits, the focus, the ambition."
Many observers see no way back for Shaw after such comments, but Neville thinks Mourinho is simply trying to give the player the "jolt" he needs and that the onus is now on Shaw to rise to the challenge in front of him.
Neville said: "If I was Luke Shaw, I wouldn't be looking to get out of Manchester United.
"I'd be looking at that situation thinking that on Saturday (Mourinho) played Ashley Young at left-back, that he has been playing Matteo Darmian at left-back, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind. These are players who are not out-and-out left-backs.
"So rather than thinking 'the manager doesn't rate me', I'd be thinking 'I have to pull my finger out here' and think the opportunity in front of me is absolutely huge, to be the number one left-back at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
"Something has to change for Luke Shaw, because someone with that ability has got to be England and Man United's number one left-back, and if he's not, then there is something fundamentally wrong.
"The comments coming from Jose Mourinho suggest there may be an attitude problem or a professionalism problem, and if that is the case, this could be the kick up the backside he needs.
"He needs to probably take a long hard look at himself and realise the opportunity that is in front of him.
"In life, you only get one opportunity at a club like Manchester United, and if you don't grasp that opportunity, you end up being sold and going maybe back to (Shaw's previous club) Southampton, thinking 'should have, would have, could have'.
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"I think it is at that point now for Luke Shaw where it is time to deliver and become the player that I believe he can become.
"Because I watched him pre-Manchester United and I thought he looked like a Manchester United number one left-back. He was a sensational player, and can still be a sensational player.
"But there is obviously something not quite right with him at this moment in time and I find it sad."
Shaw has made just two United appearances in the last four months - despite overcoming niggles related to a long lay-off and being fit since mid-January - and been publicly criticised by Mourinho on several occasions.
The England left-back's last match came a month ago against Bournemouth when Mourinho was angered by the left-back speaking to an opposition player at half-time.
Relations have been frosty ever since and, despite doing extra sessions at home on top of United training, the future looks gloomy for the left-back - much to the bemusement of the player, along with some team-mates and staff.
Phil Neville was speaking on Monday about the impact mums have on grassroots football as part of the 2017 McDonald's Football Mum of the Year award. Nominate a deserving mum now at