Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has told Luke Shaw to continue the improvement that earned an England recall, while warning reports over a new contract for Anthony Martial are not entirely accurate.
Shaw and Martial were on the fringes at Old Trafford in 2017-18 but the left-back has had a productive start to the new Premier League season despite United s two defeats from three matches.
The defender has even taken team-mate Ashley Young s place in the England squad, earning a recall after more than a year away from international action.
Mourinho was full of praise for the 23-year-old but warned Shaw to continue his upward trajectory, starting at Burnley on Sunday.
It s been a big week for him that ends with a very important match against Burnley, this is the most important thing, Mourinho told a news conference on Friday.
He played three very good matches and it s not easy when your team loses two, but he had that balance and consistency that even when the team didn t win, especially at Brighton where they didn t play well he kept the consistency, and that s important.
If next week his manager [Gareth Southgate] decides to give him minutes that d be good for him and the good results of the hard work and many people who work with him at different levels and try to make him a proper football player, a player of consistency.
He s physically and mentally stronger, tactically with a better understanding. We are very, very happy with him, to go to the national team after three matches is a very extraordinary feeling.
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Martial has been less involved than Shaw, playing only 60 minutes in this season s Premier League, but reports have indicated the forward will soon sign a new long-term contract.
Mourinho and Martial have not always had the best relationship, with the manager unhappy the France international missed part of United s pre-season tour of the United States to attend the birth of his child.
But Mourinho indicated contract talks are progressing well and a formal announcement over a Martial renewal could be on the way.
Martial we have to wait for it to be official, Mourinho told reporters on Friday. At this moment it is not official.
