Jose Mourinho says it is a natural consequence that Luke Shaw will be rewarded with a new Manchester United contract due to the effort he has shown to adapt to his style of play.
The full-back s future at Old Trafford has at times been unclear, with Shaw often falling out of favour with the Portuguese.
However, Shaw has started seven of United s last nine games in all competitions despite battling Ashley Young for the spot at left-back.
And Mourinho says Shaw is doing to enough to earn a new deal.
With Luke it s not about changing my mind, it s just the evolution or no evolution of his potential, Mourinho told reporters on Friday. It s just about that.
Because I know Shaw since he arrived in the Premier League with Southampton and I know his potential, his quality.
Could he come in my direction and the way I see and think football, the way I like my players on the pitch and in training? He made a big effort. Now, for a few months he is free of minor injuries and I m really happy.
So, I think the natural consequence is that he will have his [new] contract and he will be a Manchester United player for years.
— Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23)
United travel to St. James Park on Sunday to take on Newcastle United, Mourinho renewing his rivalry with Rafael Benitez at a stadium at which he has never won as a manager.
I think it s the only stadium in the Premier League [he has not won at], also Huddersfield, but I played there only once, Mourinho said. I think it s difficult, honestly, I always felt we had beautiful but difficult matches.
I like to go there, I like the feeling of being at Mr [Bobby] Robson s home, I like the stadium, it is really nice and I like the atmosphere, they are good and enthusiastic. I like the Geordies. I like to go there, but I couldn t win, I lost and drew a few times.
I hope the result is different this time but I know that the characteristics of the game are not going to be different. I think they are a good team and I think they have a very good transfer window with Kenedy and [Islam] Slimani, two players I know well who can improve their team.
Benitez knows how to get points so I think it is going to be difficult. They are a big club. What I know of the club, it has an incredible army of fans, a city that lives for the club and supports the club. Normally good players, normally good managers.
I can remember many of them, some of the best ones in the country. Benitez, another example. It is difficult to understand [Newcastle s problems].
But if you ask me if they will be in the Championship next season, I say immediately no way. They know how to get the points to stay in the division.
Jose Mourinho tells that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back in first-team training but is not yet ready for a return to action, while Eric Bailly also remains unavailable. There are no fresh injury concerns.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd)
Daley Blind and Eric Bailly are unavailable for the trip to Newcastle, but Mourinho confirmed Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to team training.