Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has high hopes for left-back Luke Shaw next season.
Shaw was snapped up by the Red Devils from Southampton last summer, but fell foul of Van Gaal's strict fitness rules on the club's pre-season tour of the United States.
The 19-year-old has also struggled with injuries at points this season, but he retains a firm fan in the shape of Van Gaal, who feels he will be all the better next term for his experiences in the present campaign. And that view was further reinforced by the defender's performance against Chelsea last weekend.
Van Gaal told MUTV: "I believe in Luke Shaw so, for me, it isn’t a surprise.
"He played very well against Chelsea and I’m very happy for him", the Dutchman continued.
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"It is of course the first season of a 19-year-old boy because he is still a boy and he is growing. Maybe, next year, he is an adult on the pitch and I hope so. I believe in Shaw."
The defender made his Manchester United debut against West Ham in September and has been tipped to make the left-back slot at Old Trafford his own in the long term.
Shaw is currently on 18 appearances in all competitions for the Red Devils.
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