Shaw: 'We'll give it our all for cup glory'

LUKE Shaw had been due to speak to the dedicated United correspondents in Seville. Instead, he had the preferred scenario of discussing an uplifting win that has kept the Reds’ season alive into June

- SAMUEL LUCKHURST

Shaw did not look like someone who had just endured a mentally and physically taxing two hours when he strolled into the Wembley mixed zone.

This was his first start in 18 days and his midweek return from a muscular strain was a chastening 45 minutes in the deafening Estadio Ramon-Sanchez Pizjuan.

This was also a return to centre-half with three recognised central defenders absent through injury and suspension.

Shaw has started there on seven occasions and United have still not lost. Many Reds supporters will argue Shaw was an upgrade on the club captain, Harry Maguire, against Brighton.

For such an eventful and, at times, turbulent United career, Shaw is enjoying his most rewarding season. Irrespective of what happens in the all-Manchester final on June 3, Shaw is a certain starter, fitness-permitting.

In the Reds’ last FA Cup final five years ago, a fit Shaw was conspicuous by his absence from the matchday squad. “I think us, as players, we can never take anything for granted,” he stressed.

“Every day with this manager you have to be 100 per cent at it in training, around the place, because he sets high standards. If you don’t meet them, you don’t play no matter what the circumstances are - whether there are injuries, suspensions, it does not matter.

“So, for me, I don’t take it for granted. Still, the back end of the season is the most important, that’s when you win stuff, and we want to win this trophy so we have to give it everything.

“Obviously it’s not easy (playing at centre-back. If it was in a three, it’s a bit different. But when it’s two, it’s a lot different, to be honest.