An England debut, World Cup appearance and multi-million pound move to Manchester United - it is fair to say 2014 has been a decent year so far for Luke Shaw.

A decade on from being turned down by boyhood club Chelsea, Arsenal and Fulham, his exquisite form with Southampton and recently his country has seen him secure a move to one of the world's biggest clubs.

The deal could see Shaw become the most expensive teenager of all-time should the add-ons be fulfilled, continuing an incredible rise that shows no sign of abating.

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The 18-year-old was one of few positive points from a miserable World Cup campaign and became the youngest player to feature at the tournament when he started Tuesday's goalless draw with Costa Rica.

A day later he was on the flight back home to England, where the wheels quickly moved into motion for his move to United, undergoing a medical on Thursday and signing the following day.

United paid such a lofty fee thanks to Shaw's exciting mix of attacking flair, defensive solidity and maturity - attributes which saw him named in the Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year and among the nominees for the Young Player of the Year award this season.

Such recognition highlights the impressive rise of the Surrey boy, whose first dalliance with a professional club came at Arsenal.

Part of the Gunners' development centre in Croydon and then Walthamstow, he joined Chelsea after their Premier League rivals decided not to include him in their 20-man academy squad.

From a family of Blues fans, it looked the dream move for Shaw, only for his physique to see him fail to make the grade at their academy as well.

The left-back also spent a fruitless three-week spell at Fulham before he was spotted at a tournament in Basingstoke by Southampton, who, after a six-week trial, signed up the eight-year old.

It has proved a shrewd move for all parties involved and they - as well as England - owe a debt of gratitude to his parents, Paul and Joanna.

Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester United: Potential summer transfer targets Show all 19 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Manchester United: Potential summer transfer targets 1/19 Arturo Vidal The Juventus midfielder is among United's top targets this summer, particularly after impressing for Chile at the World Cup. Having helped his current team secure the Serie A title, Juventus aren't keen on letting him go. Getty Images 2/19 Marco Reus Rumoured to be near the top of United's target list, a possible swap deal involving cash and Shinji Kagawa has been mentioned. The Borussia Dortmund player would not be a cheap acquisition, especially given his recent declaration that he wants to stay at Dortmund next season Getty Images 3/19 Arda Turan Former manager David Moyes had been seen watching Turan, though his dismissal put a doubt over whether United were still interested. The winger's agent claims an offer has been made, so is the Atletico Madrid winger on his way to Old Trafford? Getty Images 4/19 Arjen Robben The Bayern Munich winger has said Van Gaal has offered him a place at Old Trafford if he wants it. Currently he's happy to stay where he is, but things can quickly change. GETTY IMAGES 5/19 Claudio Marchisio With Paul Pogba highly unlikely to be prised away from Juventus, United's attention could turn to team-mate Claudio Marchisio. The Italian international would provide some class and experience. 6/19 Mats Hummels With defensive reinforcements high on United's list of priorities, Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels has unsurprisingly been linked with a move to Old Trafford. The German has been earmarked as the ideal replacement for the now-departed Rio Ferdinand and after his impressive showing at the World Cup, he's even more desirable. GETTY IMAGES 7/19 Raphael Varane Raphael Varane has already snubbed United once in his career, opting instead to join Real Madrid. It would surely take a big offer to prise the classy defender away now. GETTY IMAGES 8/19 Seamus Coleman Reportedly already the subject of a £15m bid, Seamus Coleman could be the man being lined up as the answer to United's problems at right-back. GETTY IMAGES 9/19 William Carvalho The Sporting Lisbon midfielder has reportedly been watched 15 times by Manchester United, although the £29m asking price could prove a stumbling block. The Portugal international has also been linked with Arsenal. Getty Images 10/19 Xherdan Shaqiri Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri has struggled to force his way into the first team at the Allianz Arena and could be a target for United as well as rivals Liverpool. His impressive displays for Switzerland this summer could make it harder to prise him away. GETTY IMAGES 11/19 Alex Song Barcelona are understood to be ready to let the former Arsenal player leave this summer. Could provide some strength to United's midfield. Could also bring embarrassment judging by his behaviour at the World Cup. GETTY IMAGES 12/19 Fabio Coentrao Supposedly came within hours of signing in January, the Portuguese left back could be brought in to provide back-up to Luke Shaw. 13/19 Julian Draxler A long time Arsenal target, United are reportedly interested in pinching the young German with a bumper offer. Seems unlikely though. Arsenal also strongly interested. 14/19 Sami Khedira The Germany international is reportedly being pursued by a host of sides, and United might be wise to get in the mix as they look to add some quality to a fairly feeble looking midfield. Real Madrid appear open to letting him go with the 27-year-old having just one year left on his contract. Arsenal and Chelsea are among the others keen on signing the World Cup winner. 15/19 Edinson Cavani The Uruguayan hitman would prove pricey and tricky to snatch away from PSG and it seems unlikely United have enough to offer him. 16/19 Luciano Vietto The Racing Club youngster has been impressing in Argentina for some time although a move directly to United would be something of a surprise. 17/19 Santiago Arias Should a move for Seamus Coleman fail, PSV defender Arias is reportedly being lined up by United. Played for Colombia throughout the group stage of the World Cup. 18/19 Miralem Pjanic Rumoured to part of a joint bid including teammate Benatia, the Bosnian midfielder is reportedly another on United's large hit list. Getty 19/19 Kevin Strootman Van Gaal knows Strootman well from working with him in the Netherlands set-up and has indicated he is interested. Roma are reluctant to sell whilst his recovery from a knee injury may prove a stumbling block. GETTY IMAGES 1/19 Arturo Vidal The Juventus midfielder is among United's top targets this summer, particularly after impressing for Chile at the World Cup. Having helped his current team secure the Serie A title, Juventus aren't keen on letting him go. Getty Images 2/19 Marco Reus Rumoured to be near the top of United's target list, a possible swap deal involving cash and Shinji Kagawa has been mentioned. The Borussia Dortmund player would not be a cheap acquisition, especially given his recent declaration that he wants to stay at Dortmund next season Getty Images 3/19 Arda Turan Former manager David Moyes had been seen watching Turan, though his dismissal put a doubt over whether United were still interested. The winger's agent claims an offer has been made, so is the Atletico Madrid winger on his way to Old Trafford? Getty Images 4/19 Arjen Robben The Bayern Munich winger has said Van Gaal has offered him a place at Old Trafford if he wants it. Currently he's happy to stay where he is, but things can quickly change. GETTY IMAGES 5/19 Claudio Marchisio With Paul Pogba highly unlikely to be prised away from Juventus, United's attention could turn to team-mate Claudio Marchisio. The Italian international would provide some class and experience. 6/19 Mats Hummels With defensive reinforcements high on United's list of priorities, Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels has unsurprisingly been linked with a move to Old Trafford. The German has been earmarked as the ideal replacement for the now-departed Rio Ferdinand and after his impressive showing at the World Cup, he's even more desirable. GETTY IMAGES 7/19 Raphael Varane Raphael Varane has already snubbed United once in his career, opting instead to join Real Madrid. It would surely take a big offer to prise the classy defender away now. GETTY IMAGES 8/19 Seamus Coleman Reportedly already the subject of a £15m bid, Seamus Coleman could be the man being lined up as the answer to United's problems at right-back. GETTY IMAGES 9/19 William Carvalho The Sporting Lisbon midfielder has reportedly been watched 15 times by Manchester United, although the £29m asking price could prove a stumbling block. The Portugal international has also been linked with Arsenal. Getty Images 10/19 Xherdan Shaqiri Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri has struggled to force his way into the first team at the Allianz Arena and could be a target for United as well as rivals Liverpool. His impressive displays for Switzerland this summer could make it harder to prise him away. GETTY IMAGES 11/19 Alex Song Barcelona are understood to be ready to let the former Arsenal player leave this summer. Could provide some strength to United's midfield. Could also bring embarrassment judging by his behaviour at the World Cup. GETTY IMAGES 12/19 Fabio Coentrao Supposedly came within hours of signing in January, the Portuguese left back could be brought in to provide back-up to Luke Shaw. 13/19 Julian Draxler A long time Arsenal target, United are reportedly interested in pinching the young German with a bumper offer. Seems unlikely though. Arsenal also strongly interested. 14/19 Sami Khedira The Germany international is reportedly being pursued by a host of sides, and United might be wise to get in the mix as they look to add some quality to a fairly feeble looking midfield. Real Madrid appear open to letting him go with the 27-year-old having just one year left on his contract. Arsenal and Chelsea are among the others keen on signing the World Cup winner. 15/19 Edinson Cavani The Uruguayan hitman would prove pricey and tricky to snatch away from PSG and it seems unlikely United have enough to offer him. 16/19 Luciano Vietto The Racing Club youngster has been impressing in Argentina for some time although a move directly to United would be something of a surprise. 17/19 Santiago Arias Should a move for Seamus Coleman fail, PSV defender Arias is reportedly being lined up by United. Played for Colombia throughout the group stage of the World Cup. 18/19 Miralem Pjanic Rumoured to part of a joint bid including teammate Benatia, the Bosnian midfielder is reportedly another on United's large hit list. Getty 19/19 Kevin Strootman Van Gaal knows Strootman well from working with him in the Netherlands set-up and has indicated he is interested. Roma are reluctant to sell whilst his recovery from a knee injury may prove a stumbling block. GETTY IMAGES

Up to four times a week over an eight-year period they took him down to Southampton's Staplewood training ground - a journey that would take an hour and 45 minutes each way on an average day. Sometimes it could end up being a five-hour round trip but they did it to give their son a chance, not because they thought he would be a star.

In truth, Shaw was an average player until turning the corner aged 15. At that time, the left-back upped sticks and moved in with a family in Southampton, with whom he lived up until the move to Old Trafford, to continue his education on and off the field.

The decision quickly paid dividends, with Shaw becoming a regular for Jason Dodd's under-18 side before being handed his first-team debut aged 16 in a 1-1 FA Cup draw at Millwall in January 2012.

It was quite the baptism of fire and, having featured in Saints' Capital One Cup ties at the start of the 2012-13 season, he was soon given a surprise Premier League debut at West Brom in November that year.

Relegation-threatened Saints lost that match 2-0 but things have vastly improved for player and club since then.

Fast forward to today and Saints last season secured a record Premier League points haul and finished eighth, while Shaw has made 67 first-team appearances.

He also has three England caps to his name and, having played on the world stage, is unlikely to wilt under the pressure brought by Manchester United.

Not one to fret, he has little interest in the opponents. In truth, Shaw is more like your average 18-year-old than a Premier League footballer.

Committed and grounded, he does not turn up to training in a flash car - not because he could not afford one, but because he would rather focus on football than passing his driving test.

It is that drive and bloody-mindedness which highlights just why Shaw is set for the very top.

PA

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