Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho tells Luke Shaw to improve to break into first team

JOSE MOURINHO has told Luke Shaw he must improve if he harbours hopes of breaking into United’s starting line-up.

Man United's Luke Shaw looks strong during U23 display

Shaw made his first appearance of the season in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Burton, coming on as a half-time substitution for Juan Mata.

But the former Southampton man has struggled to break into Mourinho’s first XI ever since the Portuguese coach took charge at Old Trafford, partly due to injury.

The 22-year-old only started nine Premier League games last season after suffering a groin injury and then underwent foot surgery.

Mourinho has often been critical of Shaw in the past and went as far as to question his commitment.

No, he is not playing tomorrow. He has to work. He has to improve

Jose Mourinho on Luke Shaw

And the United boss has once again challenged Shaw to keep improving before he can return to the starting line-up for the Red Devils. 

"He has to work, just that," Mourinho said.

"You saw the game, you saw the same as I see, so are you asking if he plays tomorrow? No, he is not playing tomorrow. He has to work. He has to improve.

"Look, he doesn't play for six months. I am not expecting him to arrive on Wednesday and to be man of the match or to be running up and down for 45 minutes.

Luke Shaw made his first appearance of the season in the win over Burton this weekGETTY

Luke Shaw made his first appearance of the season in the win over Burton this week

Jose Mourinho has told Luke Shaw he must keep improvingGETTY

Jose Mourinho has told Luke Shaw he must keep improvingJose Mourinho has told Luke Shaw he must keep

"It's just a process. He doesn't play for a long, long time.

He added” ”You have other players in the Premier League that in this moment who are not starting matches and their managers just say 'they're not in the best conditions'. And we're speaking about some of the best players of the Premier League.

"I heard last week the Chelsea manager saying that, I heard Arsenal manager said that. The players are not in their ideas, in their analysis, they're not in the best form after important injuries and long time without playing.

"Luke had surgery and a long time without playing football. I cannot expect him to be back and to be strong, strong, strong in his work."

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?