Michael Owen has praised Luke Shaw

Ahead of one of the fiercest derbies in English football, former Manchester United and Liverpool striker Michael Owen has praised Luke Shaw.

The defender moved to United last summer for an astronomical transfer fee coupled with huge questions about the wages. Chelsea manager José Mourinho was believed to be interested in signing Shaw. However, he stated that once the West London outfit, who are backed by one of the richest men in England, learnt about the wage demands of the player, they did not think twice about backing out. Their decision seemed to correct at least last season when Shaw spent most of the season on the sidelines.

The England international has made an incredible recovery from his injury troubles. United manager Louis van Gaal especially was critical of him in front of the media. He believed that Shaw did not have the fitness necessary to play for United. Shaw had been one of the huge success stories for the Southampton youth academy, but it is an entirely different proposition to play for United where matches come thick and fast. The enormous turnaround in fortunes experienced by Shaw, who has already racked up 360 minutes of league action, has led to Owen coming out in huge praise ahead of this crucial clash.

“This was an easy decision.He is a real favourite of mine in many ways. He’s a fabulous football player. He is going to be a mainstay for Manchester United and England for many years to come,” said the former United striker about his decision to name Shaw in the starting line-up that will take on Liverpool. Liverpool come to Old Trafford on a disastrous run of form that has so far seen them take only one victory in the campaign. Even that was against newly promoted Bournemouth.