Romelu Lukaku says Luke Shaw has been Manchester United’s best player this season and has backed him to become “one of the best left-backs in the world”.
Shaw, who joined United from Southampton for £27m as an 18-year-old, has struggled with injury since arriving at Old Trafford, as well as facing scrutiny over his perceived weight issues.
Jose Mourinho, former United manager, was sparing in his use of the left-back in his two-and-a-half-year spell at the club and publicly criticised him on a number of occasions – something Shaw said aided his development.
Shaw, having featured only 19 times last season under Mourinho, was left out of England’s squad for the World Cup in Russia last summer, but, according to Lukaku, it proved to be a turning point for his club-mate.
He said: “Throughout the summer we kept in touch and I remember when he was in New York he was sending me videos of him running on the treadmill.
“I was in Russia for the World Cup and I got these videos and I saw someone who was going to come back and be good.
“He scored in the first game of the season against Leicester City and he has never looked back.
“Luke Shaw has been the best player of the season for me. He has been brilliant since the start.
“He has always had the potential of being one of the best left-backs in the world, from the time when I used to play against him when he was at Southampton to now.
“He has had his injuries but he’s playing regularly now and I am really happy for him. I hope he is going to keep on delivering.
“You cannot look at Luke as a prospect now, at his age he is a top player and is consistent. What more do you want from him?”
Source: skysports