Luke Shaw Reportedly to Delay Signing Manchester United Contract Offer

Luke Shaw is set to frustrate Manchester United by taking his time in agreeing a new deal to stay at Old Trafford.

James Whaling of the Mirror reported the recently recalled England international will delay his decision as he considers the direction of his career. The left-back has had a frustrating two-year spell under manager Jose Mourinho but has this season been restored to the starting XI.

United have suffered a disappointing start to the Premier League campaign, but Shaw's form has been a highlight for the Red Devils.

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Per Whaling, the 23-year-old's deal concludes in 2019, prompting United to try to tie down the player. However, Moruinho has dropped Shaw several times, so he will wait and see whether the manager continues to show faith in his ability.

The Telegraph reported United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has informed Mourinho four squad members will not be sold for any transfer fee (h/t Metro). Shaw is one of the players, alongside Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard. Those individuals are expected to provide the spine of the United starting XI in the years ahead.

United paid significant sums for Shaw and Martial, and Woodward will want to see the club reap the benefits of those investments.

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Shaw spent the summer training after missing out on the England squad for the FIFA 2018 World Cup in Russia.

The former Southampton player recently gave an insight into his relationship with Mourinho, saying that his manager has motivated him.

Per Luke Edwards of the Telegraph, the 23-year-old said:

"We've had this conversation. He said that he knows I can be the best, but he sometimes feels frustrated that I'm not doing that. He knows what I can do. That was one of the texts he sent me in the off-season. ‘I know what you can do—you can be the best, but you've just got to work on a couple of things'.

"That's why it pushes me on more. He says these things because he knows I can do it. He knows I can be a top player. He knows I can play for Manchester United.

"It's horrible at times because people only see those things he says [in public]. That's fine because I'm a grown man. I can take stuff like that. I'm used to it. But the stuff inside the training ground, no-one sees apart from me. It still gives me confidence."

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Much will depend on the next few weeks and whether Shaw can sustain a berth ahead of Ashley Young.

Marcos Rojo can also provide competition at left-back, but Shaw is superior in an attacking sense.

Woodward is correct to ring-fence United's brightest talents, and Shaw could still develop into the best left-back in the Premier League.