Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho: This is why Luke Shaw didn't play against Liverpool

The 21-year-old's last appearance for United came against West Ham in the EFL Cup in November when he was hauled off at half-time.

Shaw has struggled with his recovery from a double-leg fracture last season but is understood to be fit again.

Nevertheless the left-back appears to have fallen out of favour with Mourinho and dropped behind Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind in the pecking order.

In September, the United manager was also critical of Shaw for his role in Juan Zuniga’s goal in the 3-1 defeat to Watford.

And Mourinho has revealed he left Shaw out of his squad because he wanted to play a more defensive minded player against Liverpool.

"When you have Antonio Valencia playing as a right winger you cannot defend with two players," Mourinho said. 

"You need that third player to give some cover inside and to keep some balances, and he [Matteo Darmian] did that well."