Jose Mourinho has backtracked on his previous comments on Manchester United star Luke Shaw, hailing the defender for the improvement in his game.
Speaking to talkSPORT, as relayed by the Express, former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has changed his tune with regards to his stance on England’s star left-back Luke Shaw.
The Portuguese tactician has been critical of the Manchester United defender in the past, during his tenure as manager of the Red Devils and even after that as well. Mourinho had even taken a dig at Shaw in the early stages of the UEFA Euro 2020, too, leading to the Englishman hitting back at him.
However, following the final against Italy, in which England experienced a painful penalty shootout defeat, Mourinho has acknowledged that Shaw has vastly improved his game while also admitting that he may have been wrong with his methods to try and get the best out of the ex-Southampton man.
“Because people think I don’t like Luke Shaw, I have to say, amazing tournament. A fantastic final. No defensive mistakes. Very solid. On top of that he improved and improved, and improved. Very good Luke Shaw. I always tried to find what I considered to be the weakness of the player and sometimes I’m successful, other times I’m not. Other times I can create empathy with the player and get the best out of them.
? “People think I don’t like Luke Shaw.”
? “I have to say: amazing tournament, fantastic final, no defensive mistakes.”
✅ “Very good. Very good, Luke Shaw.”
José Mourinho hails the performances of #ENG and #MUFC’s Luke Shaw. pic.twitter.com/bcynilmDAt
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 12, 2021
“Other times the best way to get the best out of them is not to create empathy and is to try to create some friction and to put pressure on the player. Maybe I was too harsh with him and he was not ready for that. From my side, I can only say congratulations to him because he did it by himself. For sure with the help and support of his coaches in the club and in the national team.”
Shaw has turned things around brilliantly after his period of struggles under Jose. The 2020/21 campaign, in particular, was a brilliant one, on the back of which he has enjoyed a fine run in the Euros, even though it ended in heartbreak.
Nonetheless, the Manchester United star is every bit deserving of all the plaudits coming his way. At the same time, fair play to Mourinho for admitting that he may have been harsh on the defender and putting the alleged bad blood aside to praise him for his turnaround.
