Manchester United’s 0-0 draw with West Brom may have thrown up few talking points, but the team sheet was certainly one of them.
Ashley Young started at left-back despite Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind featuring on the bench.
Even more notable, however, was that Luke Shaw did not feature in the matchday squad at all.
It’s rare for Jose Mourinho to put his faith in Young in any position, but it was another damning indictment of Shaw, who was formerly the club’s first-choice.
Since a horrific leg break in 2015, the ex-Southampton defender has struggled to get his career back on track.
To the outsider, his treatment by Mourinho may seem a little harsh.
Yet, it is the Portuguese who sees him in training each day, and he has now given an insight into Shaw’s poor attitude.
“It’s difficult for him to be on the bench because I cannot compare him with Ashley Young, with Matteo Darmian, with Daley Blind,” he told reporters.
“I cannot compare the way he trains and commits, the focus, the ambition. He is a long way behind.”
Perhaps Mourinho is hoping that this public shaming will spark the 21-year-old into action.
Time is running out for him to change the manager’s mind, though, and the more likely outcome seems to be that United will take any offers they receive for him as soon as the transfer window opens.
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