Ashley Young Talks Up Luke Shaw Potential Amid Manchester United Exit Rumours

Ashley Young has backed Manchester United team-mate Luke Shaw to become "one of the best in the world" but warned that he needs to get his "head down and work" if he is to fulfil his potential.  

Rumours have abounded recently that left-back Shaw is headed for the exit door at Old Trafford after facing more public criticism from manager Jose Mourinho following his half-time withdrawal in United's 2-0 FA Cup victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, per BBC Sport's Simon Stone.

Per BBC Radio 5 Live (via the Mirror's Thomas Bristow), Young perhaps hinted there could be a problem with Shaw's work ethic, but he talked up his fellow Englishman's potential to become a world-class player: "Obviously he's 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. He's a fantastic player. He can be one of the best in the world."

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Young, 32, has been the main beneficiary at United of Mourinho's consistent refusal to give Shaw a run of games at left-back.

The former Aston Villa star has successfully converted himself from a left-sided forward into an accomplished left-back and played in 23 of United's 30 Premier League games so far this season.

One of his most eye-catching performances came in United's recent 2-1 defeat of Liverpool when Young managed to keep Mo Salah, arguably the Premier League's best player this season, quiet, per football pundit Danny Higginbotham:

His fine form has earned him a deserved recall to the England national team, but given he is now in his 30s, Young cannot remain United's starting left-back for much longer.

Shaw is only 22 and moved to United from Southampton for £27 million in 2014 amid much excitement about his enormous potential.

His talent has not disappeared during his time at United but a double leg break in the 2015-16 campaign under Louis van Gaal, and Mourinho's lack of faith in him has seemed to stunt his progress.

It does now look likely that Shaw will leave in the summer.

Mourinho will take heavy criticism if he goes on to thrive at another club as, while Young has been excellent at left-back under the Portuguese manager, he is not the long-term solution in the role at Old Trafford.