Luke Shaw has been left confused by José Mourinho’s criticism of his withdrawal from the Manchester United team which won 3-1 win at Swansea City on Sunday. It is understood Shaw is baffled by the manager having seemed to question his decision that he was not fit enough to play.

Shaw is thought to have suffered a problem in the same leg he broke in two places last September following the 2-1 loss at Fenerbahce. This caused the left-back to be unable to make himself available for the match three days later at the Liberty Stadium.

Gareth Southgate was unable to select the 21-year-old for his England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and also said the problem was with the same right leg Shaw suffered a horrific double fracture in the Champions League group match. Southgate said: “We know he has had some ongoing difficulties since coming back from what was a very serious injury.”

Mourinho criticised Chris Smalling, too, for pulling out of the Swansea match due to being unfit. Of the two players, the Portuguese, speaking before and after the win at Swansea, said: “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.”

Mourinho had previously questioned Shaw after the 3-1 defeat at Watford in September when the 53-year-old insisted the defender was out of position for one of the goals United conceded.

Since taking over in the summer, Mourinho’s general approach has caused surprise among his squad. They expected a more hands-on man-management style and instead have found him to be more distant.