Ashley Young gives Luke Shaw advice on how to revive his Manchester United career and become ‘best in the world’
Jose Mourinho publicly criticised Shaw for his performance against Brighton
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Hard work is the only thing stopping Luke Shaw from becoming “one of the best in the world”, according to Manchester United teammate Ashley Young.
The 22-year-old left-back has endured his fair share of ups and downs since joining from Southampton in 2014, fresh from becoming the youngest player to feature at the 2018 World Cup in Brazil.
Shaw is facing a battle to go to this summer's tournament after being left out of Gareth Southgate's latest squad, which versatile left-back Young has taken his place in after becoming first choice under Jose Mourinho.
The United manager has endured an uneasy relationship with the 22-year-old, who the Portuguese criticised having hauled him off at half-time of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton.
Young was not keen to get into the whys and wherefores but has seen enough of Shaw to back him for the very top.
“I am not here to talk about other people and whatnot,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “Obviously he is a player that wants to do well, I want to see him doing well. It's like all players, you just have to get your head down and work.”
Asked if Shaw has it in him to come again, Young added: “Yeah, of course. He is a fantastic player. I feel he can be one of the best in the world. As I say, you've just got to work hard.”
Young and Shaw appear to have a good relationship off the field despite vying for the same starting berth, with the winger-cum-full-back crediting that competition as helping him to kick on at 32.
“Of course, everybody in the squad pushes each other on,” Young added. “We've got a healthy competition in our squad and when you've got world-class players training day in, day out, everybody wants to be in that team.
“Everybody wants to be in that starting XI. It is tough. I've always said, when you join a club like United it's a tough place to play at.
“But if you play and you train there and give 100 per cent, then get your opportunity and I've always said you always get your opportunity there.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments