Luke Shaw thinks the brutal way Erik ten Hag has dealt with underperformers at Manchester United so far this season has been a welcome change.
The 27-year-old started again for United in their goalless draw with Newcastle at the weekend after working his way back into the side following the summer signing of Tyrell Malacia.
Shaw was dropped from the United side after poor performances in the opening two matches of the season and was replaced by Dutch full-back Malacia.
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The England international has responded well to the new challenge for his starting position, and he thinks Ten Hag should also get credit for sparking such a tough battle for spots, when in the past many underperforming players held their place regardless of recent performance level.
When asked if he was happy with his current form, Shaw told reporters: "Yes but I think the most important thing is the team. Whenever I get a chance, whenever I play, I just do my best.
"The good thing about this manager, this gaffer, is that if you’re not playing well, then you won’t play. In the past, that’s not been the case, but I think the good thing about this manager is that he’s keeping everyone on their toes.
"He makes sure that everyone is 100% every day. If you’re not at it then you won’t play. That’s a positive thing."
Shaw credits his renewed energy to consistency rather than any particular area under Ten Hag's treatment.
When asked what had changed for him in recent weeks, he added: "To be honest, I didn’t really need him to say anything to me. I knew. I knew the first two games were nowhere near good enough. I completely understood that it was my time to come out of the team. The results were bad. My performances were not good enough.
"I just had to keep training hard every day in training so the manager could see I was training hard. I was just waiting for my opportunity and had to bide my time because the team was doing well and we were winning.
"You can’t moan. I just had to be there every day with the team, being involved and helping the team, whether that is starting or being on the bench."
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