Manchester United news: Luke Shaw left confused by Jose Mourinho's criticism following Swansea win

The 21-year-old is 'baffled' following the United boss's attack over his and Chris Smalling's decision not to play against Swansea on Sunday

Luke Shaw is still struggling with pain in the leg he broke 14 months ago, says England manager Gareth Southgate (Getty)

Luke Shaw is perplexed by Jose Mourinho’s reaction following the defender’s decision to not play in Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over Swansea on Sunday.

Shaw and fellow United defender Chris Smalling both deemed themselves unfit to play at the Liberty Stadium and they’re decision was met with some scepticism from Mourinho after the game.

The England international has only recently returned from a horrific leg break in two places and is believed to have had gained another knock in the same leg during United’s 2-1 defeat to Fenerbahce on Thursday night.

Gareth Southgate also claimed that he was unable to pick the former Southampton defender for England’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to ‘ongoing difficulties’ during his rehabilitation from the aforementioned injury.

But it is believed that Shaw and Smalling, who hasn’t played for United since their damning 4-0 defeat to Chelsea last month, are both ‘baffled’ by Mourinho’s comments.

“Smalling doesn’t feel that he can play 100% with his pain, Luke Shaw told me this morning that he was not in the condition to play, so we had to build a defensive line. There is a difference between the brave, who want to be there at any cost, and the ones for whom a little pain can make a difference.

“If I were to speak with the many great football people of this team, they will say many times they played without being 100%. For the team you have to do anything, that is my way of seeing [things]. Of course, it is not just the players, it is the players and the people that surround the players.”

This isn’t the first time Shaw has come in for scrutiny from his manager this season either.

Mourinho singled out the defender’s mistakes as one of the key factors behind United’s 3-1 defeat to Watford in September.

The United boss questioned Shaw’s positioning for the Hornets second goal during the humiliating defeat at Vicarage Road.

Since his return to English football with Chelsea three years ago, Mourinho has surprised some with his tendency to pick out several players in the media for their poor performances, something he wasn’t accustomed to during his first stint in the Premier League.