Jose Mourinho explains why Luke Shaw has not played for Manchester United recently

Jose Mourinho has explained why Luke Shaw has not played for Manchester United recently.

Shaw has experienced a difficult time so-far this season. The 21-year-old full-back has made just 13 appearances under Jose Mourinho, and has missed 14-games between the end of October and January. Shaw has missed the games with a groin injury, and it appears as though the player is still recovering from the after-effects of his double-leg break in September 2015. Ahead of Manchester United's game against Stoke City on Saturday, Jose Mourinho was asked about the condition of his player. The United manager said Shaw could have started their recent FA Cup win over Reading, but he was ill. He also said the 21-year-old is experiencing a "difficult period." "You try to have in the squad the players with more minutes, the players in better shape, in better condition," Mourinho said.

"In Luke Shaw’s case, even in the (FA Cup third round) game against Reading, when he could have started the game and had 90 minutes, in the morning of the game he was ill and not ready to play. "So even in that match, which could have been good for him, he was not able to play, so he’s having a difficult period."

Henrikh Mkhitaryan went from being out of Mourinho's plans to a key player within a short space of time, after the Armenian proved his fitness to the United manager. United fans will hope Shaw can do the same. Catch up with this week's episode of 888sport Football Friday Live: