Manchester United players shocked by Jose Mourinho's treatment of Luke Shaw - report

The Times report that Mourinho asked Shaw to turn out against Watford despite the left-back nursing a groin injury before proceeding to criticise the England international in his media conference.

Mourinhi was scathing in his assessment off Shaw's performance after failing to pressure Nordin Amrabat in the build-up to Juan Camilo Zungia’s goal that gave Watford a 2-1 lead.

Shaw substituted moments later and Mourinho apparently criticised the player for failing to "jump and press", according to The Times.

“I knew I had a task. But the first Man City goal (during the 2-1 defeat last weekend) and this second goal, you can find incredible similarity," said Mourinho, who has suffered three straight defeat for the first time since 2002.

“(Aleksandar) Kolarov has the ball in a difficult situation in the corner and my player instead of going up and pressing decides to give him space. Today for the second goal, [Nordin] Amrabat on the right side, our left back is 25 metres distance from him, instead of five metres.

“But even at 25 metres, then you have to jump and go press. But no, we wait. This is a tactical but also a mental attitude. In a couple of weeks, everything like this becomes perfect. That's my job.”

Shaw has been blighted by injury problems since United paid Southampton £28m to sign the defender two years ago. He was forced to rest due to hamstring and groin problems in his first season at the club and suffered a horrific leg break in a Champions League match at PSV Eindhoven at the outset of last season.