Manchester United Transfer News: Jose Mourinho Talks Luke Shaw Exit Rumours

Jose Mourinho has said Luke Shaw could still be a Manchester United player next season, despite rumours the pair are at odds.

Mourinho discussed whether Shaw will stay, per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News: "I think so. But I always say the door is open for everyone so no problem for him, but I think so. He's selected (against Swansea). He's in the 18."

The Red Devils chief also defended his decision to substitute Shaw in recent matches while downplaying rumours of a rift:

"I am the coach. I make the changes I want to do. If I want to change the player in minute five I change the player in minute five. If I want to change in minute 98 I change in minute 98."

"The moment when a new rule comes to football that forbids managers to do that then I become a pundit, not a manager. Nothing happened."

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Those words are in sharp contrast to the recent reports detailing the significant friction between manager and player.

Shaw is said to have demanded answers from Mourinho during a heated verbal exchange after the Portuguese subbed him at half-time of a 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup quarter-final.

The England international asked his boss: "Why are you always picking on me?" according to Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail.

After the match, Mourinho publicly criticised Shaw's performance, per Goal's Jamie Smith.

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Another public dressing down of Shaw prompted a source close to the defender to brand Mourinho's treatment an "absolute disgrace," according to Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News.

It's not the first time Mourinho has been scathing about Shaw in front of the cameras. The 55-year-old poured scorn on Shaw's application back in 2017, per BBC Sport.

Mourinho may be ready to sing a different tune, but there is no doubt Shaw has struggled to make an impression since the former took over in 2016.

In fairness to Mourinho, Shaw's career with the Reds had already been negatively impacted after he broke his leg during a UEFA Champions League encounter with PSV Eindhoven in 2015.

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Since then, Shaw has found regular playing time hard to come by. The former Southampton ace has started just 12 games in all competitions this season.

It's a surprise considering Shaw boasts the pace and technique to be a dangerous outlet going forward. He may still be raw defensively, but he is athletic enough to improve his positional sense and overall discipline.

Rather than wait on Shaw's development, Mourinho has instead favoured veteran Ashley Young at left-back, particularly for big matches. The fact United's manager trusts a 32-year-old converted winger ahead of a natural defender speaks volumes of Shaw's low standing.

Yet there are still enough believers in Shaw's potential for La Liga giants Barcelona to be interested in the 22-year-old, per James Nursey of the Daily Mirror.

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Meanwhile, Luckhurst also reported United are already looking at left-back options ahead of the summer transfer window, with Alex Sandro of Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur's Danny Rose said to be on the list of potential targets.

Shaw may be back in United's squad, but he has a lot to do to finally win over his manager and ensure a future at Old Trafford beyond this summer. A move away looks increasingly like the ideal solution for both club and player.