Mauricio Pochettino has echoed Jose Mourinho’s criticism of Luke Shaw (Picture: Getty)

Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino says Luke Shaw’s attitude and poor work rate held him back at Southampton.

The Argentine boss struck up a close relationship with Shaw at St Mary’s before the defender’s £30million move to Old Trafford in 2014.

Shaw has struggled since joining the Red Devils and comments earlier this month that he would like to work under Pochettino again drove a bigger wedge between the defender and Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho criticised Shaw’s professionalism last season and Pochettino has appeared to echo those claims by suggesting the left-back won’t reach the very top.

Shaw faces an uncertain future at Old Trafford (Picture: Getty)

‘I felt his head was not in the right place [at Southampton] to make the sacrifices and decisions that are necessary at that age,’ said Pochettino in his upcoming book.

Shaw could start his first United game in over six months tonight after being included in Mourinho’s 18-man squad to face Benfica.

The left-back has made two substitute appearances so far this term, the last of which was in the 87th minute in a 2-0 win against Swansea last week.

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