Jose Mourinho has warned Luke Shaw he faces a huge fight to resurrect his Manchester United career.
Left-back Shaw will not feature against former club Southampton on Saturday, despite making his comeback in midweek following a five-month injury lay-off.
The England international, who joined United from Saints for £27million in 2014, came on as a second-half sub in the 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Burton at Old Trafford.
Shaw was publicly criticised by boss Mourinho for a perceived lack of focus last season, and the 22-year-old found himself pushed further down the left-back pecking order.
Mourinho has repeated that warning, telling Shaw he must be willing to put in the required work if he is to have any chance of getting back into the United starting line-up.
“He has to work,” said Mourinho. “Just that.
You saw the game. You saw the same as I see. Are you asking if he plays tomorrow? No, he isn’t.
“He has to work. He has to improve.
"Look, he doesn’t play for six months. I’m not expecting him to arrive on Wednesday and be man of the match or to be running up and down for 45 minutes.
“It’s a process. He doesn’t play for a long time. You have other players in the Premier League who aren’t starting matches, and their managers just say they’re not in the best conditions.
“We’re speaking about some of the best players in the league.
"I heard last week the Chelsea manager saying that, the Arsenal manager said that.
“The players are not in their ideas, they’re not in the best form after important injuries.
“Luke had surgery and a long time without playing. I cannot expect him to be back and strong, strong, strong in his work."