Man Utd news: Luke Shaw signed a new five-year contract at United on Thursday (Image: ESPN/GETTY)
That is the honest verdict of ESPN FC pundit and legendary Liverpool defender Steve Nicol.
Shaw today signed a new five-year contract to keep him at Manchester United until 2023.
The left-back also has an option in his deal to stay a further season at Old Trafford.
Shaw has had a turbulent time at United under Mourinho, being publicly criticised by the Portuguese on several occasions in interviews and press conferences.
He also knows that Mourinho’s not going to be around to jump on him at every occasion when he thinks he should
Steve Nicol on Man Utd star Luke Shaw
This season though he has found a regular starting spot in a United side that has lost three of the opening eight games of the Premier League campaign.
Jose Mourinho’s long-term future at the club is in doubt because of the poor start and Nicol believes that played a part in why Shaw committed the next five years to the Red Devils.
“There were occasions when I thought he’d be better just leaving,” Nicol said of Shaw.
“I would however suggest that it’s maybe something to do with the situation with Mourinho right now.
Man Utd news: Nicol claims Shaw signed a new deal knowing Mourinho won't be there much longer (Image: ESPN)
Man Utd news: Luke Shaw has earned a regular spot back in the Premier League (Image: GETTY)
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“I’m pretty sure Mourinho’s not going to be at Manchester United for too much longer.
“Whether it’s the rest of this season or maybe even another one, it isn’t going any longer than that.
“So Luke Shaw knows number one he has to keep performing on the field.
“And he also knows that Mourinho’s not going to be around to jump on him at every occasion when he thinks he should.”