Manchester United’s promising start to the season has been abruptly halted after three losses on the trot. Another cause for worry has now emerged, as manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly alienated one of his star players.

 

Recent reports in the English media have suggested that there is a growing rift between Jose Mourinho and left-back Luke Shaw after the Red Devils’ embarrassing defeat at Vicarage Road. The Man United manager admonished the 21-year-old after the game, pointing out his mistake in the run up to the Hornets’ second goal.

“The first Man City goal and this second goal against Watford – you can find an incredible similarity,” Mourinho said at the post-match press conference, according to the Mirror.

“Kolarov has the ball in a difficult situation in the corner and my players, instead of going up to press they decide to give space.

“And here for the second goal, Amrabat receives the ball and our left-back is 25 metres from him instead of five metres. But even at 25 metres, you have to jump and go and press, but no, we wait.”

The Times have now alleged that Shaw is unhappy with Mourinho’s public criticism, especially considering that he was playing with an injury at that point of the game. The same publication broke the news on Monday that Shaw had suffered a recurrence of an old groin injury during the Watford game.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 18: Luke Shaw of Manchester United (R) takes the ball past Etienne Capoue of Watford (L) during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on September 18, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
WATFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 18: Luke Shaw of Manchester United (R) takes the ball past Etienne Capoue of Watford (L) during the Premier League match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on September 18, 2016 in Watford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Mourinho is known for causing friction within the squad, but a conflict of this kind in the early days of his managerial tenure at Manchester United will set alarm bells ringing for the fans. Luke Shaw has been one of the best performers for Man United this season, after spending almost a year recuperating from the broken leg he suffered last September.

The Portuguese is known for being a strict disciplinarian when it comes to defensive duties and Shaw’s error did play a huge role in Watford’s second goal. However, it is now up to Mourinho to make amends with one of his most important players if the allegations of a rift are true.

The possible groin injury to Shaw is also bad news for United, as it could see the young Englishman ruled out for up to three weeks.

READ MORE – BRINGING THE BEST OUT OF MARCUS RASHFORD AND THE MANCHESTER UNITED SQUAD: HOW CAN IT BE DONE?

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