Pre-match decision showed Luke Shaw has become the Manchester United defender Jose Mourinho wanted

When the spiral started at Manchester United last season Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw were culpable so often they seemed conjoined.

Privately, Shaw felt he was exposed amid his willingness to cover for Maguire. A confidant advised Shaw to be more selfish.

There is scant evidence of selfishness throughout Shaw's eight years with United. He has regained form this season, arguably his best two terms on from his stellar 2020-21 campaign.

Exclusive: Forest want to sign Henderson in possible £30m deal

For context, that was played out almost entirely with the turnstiles locked and umpteen results were as misleading as United's second-place finish. This season, with the adrenaline whirring at packed grounds, Shaw has improved and overcome the setback of a summer signing dislodging him.

Shaw's approach is unrecognisable from the teenager United invested £31million in back in 2014. He was not a month into his United career when Louis van Gaal publicly admonished Shaw for lacking the required fitness and it got tougher under Jose Mourinho.

Mourinho might have smiled at Shaw's progress at Bournemouth. Shortly after pinging the ball into the top corner during the warm-up, Shaw returned to the dressing room while his teammates continued their preparations.

It was only when Erik ten Hag suddenly emerged from the tunnel, strode onto the sun-kissed turf, stopped to press the flesh of the officials and made a beeline for Tyrell Malacia that it become apparent the teamsheets might have to be updated.

With less than 20 minutes until kick-off, Malacia started warming up more rigorously, initially with one of the fitness staff, before breaking off to join the starters. Malacia was among them for their shuttle runs before they jogged towards