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Man Utd news: Luke Shaw is a victim of Jose Mourinho’s mental test - Rio Ferdinand
RIO FERDINAND reckons Luke Shaw has been overlooked by Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, because he is not mentally ready to be in his starting XI.
Man United's Luke Shaw looks strong during U23 display
Shaw, who was troubled by injuries last season, has had an uneasy career to date at Old Trafford since joining from Southampton three years ago.
The left-back wasn’t included in the match day squad for the 4-0 win over Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace.
And Ferdinand, who won six league titles during his decorated spell at United, thinks he knows why the likes of Shaw aren’t getting more first-team opportunities.
“It looks like he is testing them mentally,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.
Luke Shaw has struggled to hold down a place in the Manchester United first team
Rio Ferdinand thinks Jose Mourinho is mentally testing his Manchester United players
You need players who are going to be brave receiving the ball, not just physically and tackling
“Hit them with something, are you going to stay down or are you going to get up and fight? If you get up then he says yes, that's the type of man I want in my team.
"As players, that's what you want in your team.
“You don't want players who will get one hit and shy away from things. One bad pass in a game, shy away from taking the ball again for the next 10/15 minutes.
“That's not how you win titles. You need players who are going to be brave receiving the ball, not just physically and tackling, but mentally, and saying whatever happens here going forward, I will be with you guys shoulder to shoulder."
Although Shaw isn’t in favour, reports emerged last week that the England international extended his contract before the start of the campaign.
United travel to face Liverpool in their first league after the international break on October 14.
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