- Premier League
Shaw admits to United mistake
Luke Shaw says Louis van Gaal was right to criticise his fitness and blames himself for underestimating the standards required of him at Manchester United.
The defender, who made a surprise 45-minute appearance in Tuesday's night's victory against Inter Milan on penalties, was made to train on his own this week, with the club's new manager claiming the teenager had work to do to meet his expectations.
Rio: Make Rooney England captain
- Rio Ferdinand has urged Roy Hodgson to pick Wayne Rooney as Steven Gerrard's successor as England captain.
- Ferdinand, who signed for Queens Park Rangers after 12 years at Manchester United, described his former club and country team-mate as "the most influential player England have got".
- Click here to continue reading
Shaw, a £27 million signing from Southampton, said: "I didn't come into United thinking it's going to be much harder and that's something I made a mistake on.
"I thought it was just going to be the same but United is the biggest club in the world and there are world-class players in training so it's something that is going to push me on. That's something I need to keep me pushing on and this is only going to help me in the long run."
On the comments of Van Gaal, who wants United to play in a 3-5-2 formation, Shaw said: "It's something I totally agree with. Playing in this formation you really have to be fit. I am fit but not at his high demands. I know I have got to get fitter to get up and down.
"I want and need the staff to push me on so they can do what they want. That's something I am going to work on, and tonight [Tuesday] in 45 minutes I felt really good, so I am looking forward to keep on progressing until the start of the season.
"Pre-season you are always going to try and get your fitness up so I am not too sure but I felt great. It's a progression from the last game I played so hopefully now the main focus is getting fitter and fitter and I'll be flying by the start of the season.
"I wasn't meant to play today because me and the staff decided it would be better to push me harder in training, but I didn't have any problems and I feel good."