Euro 2020

Jose Mourinho praises Manchester United's Luke Shaw after England display

By Sammy Wynne | 05 July 2021

Mourinho praises Luke Shaw after England display

Former Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho heaps praise on left-back Luke Shaw following his performance for England against Ukraine, when he picked up two assists.

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on left-back Luke Shaw following his performance for England on Saturday.

Gareth Southgate's side produced an impressive performance and 4-0 result against Ukraine in Rome on the weekend, sending the national side into their second-consecutive semi-final at a major international tournament.

Shaw picked up two assists during that game, crossing the ball for club teammate Harry Maguire and for Harry Kane's second goal of the match just four minutes later.

Despite having a publicly difficult relationship with Shaw from his time at the helm at Old Trafford, Mourinho told talkSPORT: "Luke Shaw is playing better and better and better. I think the back four with the amazing Euros that both central midfielders are doing is more than enough to control Denmark offensively. And then you have four players to decide the creativity of the game.

"Do England need to play with the back three like against Germany? My answer is no. Germany is a different way to play three at the back. This match doesn't need England to adapt and match Denmark.

"It is there that Maguire may have some doubts. Raheem Sterling and Kane is clear and there's two places in my opinion that's open. Gareth has to make the best decision.

"Jadon Sancho played well, Phil Foden started the tournament, the same with Mason Mount. Jack Grealish – it looks like he's not the favourite player of Gareth but every minute he's on the pitch is doing is well."

Shaw has started all but one of England's Euro 2020 games so far, after being left out against Croatia on the opening gameday.