Casemiro joined United from Real Madrid on 22 August 2022, by which time Shaw and his team-mates had lost the first two games of this season – to Brighton and Hove Albion at home and then Brentford away.

Since then, the Reds have lost only four of the subsequent 34 matches in all competitions. So how does Shaw feel he compares to the player he was back then, and how much of that improvement is down to Erik ten Hag’s management?

“I think obviously not just myself but I think the team in the first two games was nowhere near where we should have been at,” answered the defender.

“It was obviously a very difficult start but I think we’ve learned from that and we’ve grown as a team, not just as individuals, but as a team.

“I think now collectively it’s showing in our performances and where we’re going. Of course, it helps with the manager, he’s been really good and has shown a lot of trust in me. My main thing now is to repay that trust with good performances and to help the team as much as possible.”

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