Manchester United’s Luke Shaw says he has never been out of shape

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has hit back over criticism of his conditioning and says he is keen to earn a new deal. The full-back has been in and out of the United side since he was signed in the summer of 2014 and is entering the last year of his contract. However, he looks poised to figure at the start of the upcoming Premier League campaign, having started all three of United’s games on their tour of the USA so far. Shaw has been questioned over his conditioning and fitness for much of his time at United but says such criticism is misplaced. Speaking at the Montage hotel in Beverly Hills, where Manchester United are based for their US summer tour, Shaw is about to embark on a make-or-break year at Old Trafford. The defender is in great shape physically after a personal pre-season programme in Dubai this month but, more than anything, he would rather his physique was not constantly judged.

“Of course people can say I’m fat, but I know my own body,” said Shaw. I always look big because I’m bigger built and I have, you could say, a Wayne Rooney type of body.I guess you’ve just got to take it, because there’s always going to be negative criticism and positive (words), but both of them can make you stronger.

“The first season when I came, I didn’t realise how big a step up it was. I was doing work, but I didn’t realise I needed to push it a bit more. I think I’ve been unlucky because I’ve had a few ups and downs with different managers and sometimes people don’t think I’m as fit as I am.I would say I have never been out of shape.I feel really good and I am raring to go. The minutes (in pre-season matches) are only going to help me become fitter.”

United manager Jose Mourinho has criticised Shaw on occasion in the past but sent messages of support this summer as Shaw worked hard in Dubai. “It was a breath of fresh air when he texted me,” said Shaw. “I wasn’t expecting it. I spoke to him and it was really positive. It made me feel confident about the upcoming season.” Shaw is now targeting a new United contract, adding: “You don’t want to be in this situation (last year of a deal) but I know I have got the quality to become a (regular) Manchester United player.

“I want to earn a contract. I don’t want a contract because, in the next year I’m a free agent, so they might look to tie me down. I know the club believe me. If they really wanted to, they could’ve cashed in. I’m going to fight for it this year and I want to be in that starting team.”

Shaw’s height is listed at six foot or an inch more on certain websites, yet he looks smaller in stature. That creates an illusion with his weight, which has been a recurring topic since Louis van Gaal questioned Shaw’s fitness during his first pre-season with United in 2014. Shaw’s holiday photos last month were derided on social media yet the 23-year-old looked shredded during his trip to Dubai, where he embarked on a rigorous fitness week prior to pre-season.

Shaw has endured injury, notably a broken leg in September 2015 that ended his season. And from the moment Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho’s predecessor, branded him overweight during the 2014 summer tour of the US, the charge has dogged him.Like Van Gaal before him Mourinho has been critical of Shaw’s weight, leading to accusations of bullying on the Portuguese’s part and the player at one stage last year believing he had no future at United. But as Shaw reveals, the current United manager has been hugely supportive of his summer fitness regime, going as far as to send him encouraging text messages.

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