Luke Shaw is reaping the rewards of taking on board Louis van Gaal‘s criticism and using it in a positive way.

During the pre-season, Shaw was told by Van Gaal that he wasn’t fit enough and put him on an individual training program to help improve his fitness.

Shaw had to endure a frustrating start to the season after injuring his hamstring but since returning, the 19-year-old has shown some superb consistency with some well-rounded performance and now he feels really fit after that run of games.

“It was a frustrating start picking up that injury,” Shaw said.

“The toughest thing was getting back into the team.

“Now I’ve had a run of games I’m feeling really good and hopefully I can just keep getting games now and keep showing people why United have bought me.

“With the fitness side, I think it was something that me and Van Gaal talked about, but I feel really good at the moment.

“I feel really fit now. It was all about getting a run of games and that’s something that I’ve had so I just want to keep getting a run and improving in myself.”

As for Shaw’s fitness going into the Arsenal game, he explained that it was his choice to carry on playing against Scotland despite feeling his hamstring but hopes to be fit for the weekend.

He added: “I picked up a few knocks during the game and my left hamstring, which I hurt at the start of the season, I could feel a little bit.

“We had a discussion at half time over whether to bring me off then, but it was a game I didn’t want to come off in so I played the extra 15 minutes and then Roy decided to sub me off.

“We will just have to see, but I am hoping to be fit.”

Shaw’s impressive performances since returning from injury are very encouraging to say the least. Already at 19 he has all the makings of a complete defender and there’s no doubt he can go on to become the best left-back in the league if he fulfils his potential.