Erik ten Hag hails Luke Shaw as 'best left-back in UK' after signing new Man Utd contract

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag was full of praise for Luke Shaw after he put pen to paper on a new long-term deal at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils confirmed on Tuesday that the England international has signed a new contract until 2027, possibly bringing his association with the club to 13 years.

After coming back from various serious injuries and long spells out of the side, Shaw has established himself as one of the world's leading left-backs - and according to Ten Hag, the best on these shores.

"[He's had a] great, great season so far. [He's made] great progress, so I think it's really good news for Manchester United that he stays playing for Manchester United," Ten Hag told club channels.

"I think it tells everything, he's the best left full-back in the UK. You see it also in the England team, he is performing so well there as well.

"So we are really happy that he extended his contract and that he stays longer with us and is going with us in this project and in this journey.

"We have high ambitions and we need Luke Shaw to fulfil those ambitions."

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Luke Shaw reacts to new Man Utd contract

Speaking in his own interview with United's channels, Shaw spoke about becoming one of the leaders in the dressing room given his seniority and longevity at the club.

"I think it's really important [to help younger players]. Obviously, when I was younger, and I came to this club you could feel how different it was," Shaw said.

"[It's] the biggest club in the world, [so] there are a lot of different pressures that come with wearing this shirt. I think because I've been in that situation, I fully understand that role and how they're feeling. I feel like I can try to give my experience of how I felt at that time, and how I dealt with it, to the younger lads that come in. I think that's something the manager's putting on me at the moment, to bring more leadership into the team from the qualities that I have."

Shaw added: "I think everyone can admit I've been through a lot of ups and downs here. But I think it's not just as a player, it's also shaped me to how I want to be as a person as well. I've learnt a lot; I've grown a lot. I think you have to grow a lot when you are at this club, but I think it's only been for the better. Like I said, it's not just as a player, I feel better as a person. I've grown a lot over these years I've been at this club.

"I think that [putting side before self] has to be [the way]. For me, that's the only thing I can do. I think we are all one big team and I think we are all fighting for the same things like I spoke about, and that's winning games, winning trophies and I think the team always comes first. I'm always happy to put my body on the line, whether I'm injured or not."

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On this edition of The Promised Land, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders & Rob Blanchette react to Man Utd's defeat to Newcastle and Erik ten Hag's tactics, preview Wednesday's game with Brentford at Old Trafford and whether Leicester playmaker James Maddison would be a sensible transfer target.

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