Luke Shaw facing Manchester United exit after Jose Mourinho lays into England defender

The England international has made only two starts since the end of November and was left out of Manchester United’s 18-man squad for the fifth game running on Saturday – despite being fit.

Asked what Shaw, 21, needs to do to even win a place on the substitutes bench, Mourinho said: “Who? Luke Shaw? It’s difficult for him to be on the bench. Why? Because I cannot compare him with Ashley Young, with Matteo Darmian, with Daley Blind.

“I cannot compare the way he trains, the way he way he commits, the focus, the ambition. I cannot compare. He is a long way behind.”

When it was pointed out he is in an England international and was selected for Gareth Southgate’s recent squad, appearing as a substitute against Germany, he snapped: “Joe Hart is an English international – and is playing on loan in Italy.”

What makes the future look even bleaker for Shaw is that none of the three players ahead of him in Mourinho’s pecking order are specialist left backs.

Young, who played in the goalless draw with West Brom on Saturday, is a winger; Darmian is a right back while Blind is a utility man, who can play at centre back and as a defensive midfielder.

Shaw did take part in a five-a-side game on the Old Trafford pitch following United’s goal-less stalemate with West Brom on Saturday but considering Mourinho’s comments it seems unlikely to return against Everton tomorrow.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Ander Herrera, however, will both return after completing their suspensions and Paul Pogba – who has missed two games with a hamstring strain – also has a chance after taking part in the five-a-side game.

Definitely out though are Juan Mata, who has had a hernia operation, Chris Smalling (knee) and Phil Jones (toe) with Mourinho describing their absences as “long term.”

He said: “I think Mata, Jones and Smalling [are out] for a long time. As for Pogba, I cannot say he is ready for Tuesday because I don’t know.

“But I don’t think Pogba is such a long-term injury as the others.”