According to reports in The Telegraph, Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw could be a target for former club Southampton during the January transfer window, but only if they were able to afford his wages.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Telegraph suggests that Saints are ready to act in the market next month following the £75m sale of Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool, and the fact that they are just two points above the Premier League relegation zone as things stand.

The Telegraph reports that the south coast outfit would be keen on bringing former player Shaw, who has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle, back to St Mary’s and would be interested if they could meet his wage demands.

The 22-year-old has found life generally difficult since Jose Mourinho took charge of the Red Devils in 2016, but he did make a rare start in their 2-2 draw against Burnley at Old Trafford on Saturday.

How has Shaw done this season?

It has been a largely frustrating campaign for the England international, who has found first-team opportunities hard to come by despite United not having an out-and-out left-back or left wing-back.

The likes of Ashley Young, Daley Blind and Matteo Darmian have often been ahead of him in the pecking order this term, and Shaw has only made six appearances in all competitions.

Being involved in the side that lost to Bristol City in the EFL Cup quarter-finals and the one that drew with Burnley certainly won’t have helped his cause to play regularly, although he was named as the man of the match in the 1-0 win against Bournemouth earlier this month.

Would Mourinho sell him in January?

It depends on whether he brings in a replacement or not.

United have been linked with the likes of Juventus’ Alex Sandro, Tottenham’s Danny Rose and Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon in recent weeks, and if one of those arrives at Old Trafford it could pave the way for Shaw to go.

While he has been slightly more involved in recent weeks, the 22-year-old is still out of contract at the end of the season and with no signs that he will be offered a new deal, Mourinho may choose to cash in on him in the New Year rather than risk losing him for nothing in the summer.

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