Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is set to return from another injury against Burton... so, can he finally convince Jose Mourinho that he is the man to fill the left back slot?

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Luke Shaw has been here before at Manchester United. The injury, the rehab, the comeback.

The damaged ligament in his foot that has kept Shaw out of action since April cannot compare to the horrific broken leg that took him out of the game for nearly a year, but in many ways the stakes are even higher this time.

As Shaw prepares to return to the United squad for Wednesday's Carabao Cup tie against Burton Albion at Old Trafford, he knows that the opportunities to convince Jose Mourinho that he deserves to be United's left back for the foreseeable future are not limitless.

Luke Shaw limps off against Swansea City in April after damaging a ligament in his foot

Shaw is fit again and back in training ahead of Manchester United's cup tie against Burton

'Luke Shaw is not injured any more so it's a question of form, of options, but he is not injured,' said Mourinho when asked about Shaw on Friday. 'He has recovered from his injury.'

It was hardly the biggest fanfare but, then again, Mourinho has grown cautious when it comes to the issue of Shaw.

He recognises the player's qualities but has questioned his attitude, both privately and publicly. Mourinho quickly formed the opinion that Shaw epitomises the modern young player who is given too much too soon.

In Shaw's case, it was a £31million move to Old Trafford from Southampton in the summer of 2014, making him the most expensive teenager in world football at the time.

The broken leg in Eindhoven in September of the following year inevitably halted his progress at United, but Mourinho has been decidedly underwhelmed by a player he once tried to sign for Chelsea.

United boss Jose Mourinho has questioned Shaw's attitude both privately and publicly

Shaw has had to recover from a double leg break sustained in this tackle from Hector Moreno

Shaw tackled the problem head-on when he sought clear-the-air talks with his manager in April after Mourinho admitted that he was 'a long way behind' Daley Blind, Matteo Darmian and Ashley Young in the pecking order of left backs at the club.

It seemed to work. He was immediately restored to the squad and made another three starts before the foot injury sustained in a draw with Swansea kept him out of action for the remainder of the season, including United's Europa League triumph over Ajax in Stockholm.

The 22-year-old has spent the summer rehabbing the injury, and joined his team-mates on tour in America. The decision to withdraw Shaw from Monday night's reserve-team game against Chelsea after three appearances for the second string is seen as a clear indication that he will be in the squad against Burton.

Young has beaten his young team-mate on the comeback trail and impressed at left back against Everton on Sunday after returning from injury in the Champions League opener against Basle last week. Blind and Darmian still pose significant obstacles for Shaw as he bids to re-establish himself in the team.

Ashley Young started at left back as Manchester United defeated Everton 4-0 on Sunday

Daley Blind, pictured in action against Basle, is also ahead of Shaw in the pecking order

But there have been some positive signs. Speculation over a summer move away from United proved unfounded, and there has been talk of a 12-month contract extension – although protecting their investment on a player whose current deal runs out next year would make sound business sense for United.

Shaw's relationship with Mourinho appears to have improved as well. 'We've had discussions but the main ones we've had so far are about how my injury is,' he said last month. 'I told him straight how I was feeling and that's good.

'We've got so many games this season and it was the same last season. The games will be bigger this season because we're back in the Champions League and more of a challenge. We're all up for it.

'Everyone is training hard because everyone wants to be on that pitch in the important games. We're all fighting for a place and now it's my time to fight for my place.'

Shaw tussles with Hull defender Ahmed Elmohamady during a game at the start of last season

Mourinho will make changes when Burton Albion visit Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup

Whether that battle begins at Old Trafford on Wednesday night or over the coming weeks remains to be seen. Either way, this promises to be a pivotal season for Shaw going into the World Cup next summer.

He must convince Mourinho that he is prepared to learn and progress in the way that many predicted he would after breaking through at Southampton in 2012.

The United manager is not known for his patience and Shaw has borne the brunt of his criticism more than any other player at United since Mourinho took over last year.

There is still time for Shaw to forge a future at Old Trafford; to put the problems with Mourinho and his injury issues behind him. But the time to deliver is now.