Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has said that playing the full 120 minutes of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Anderlecht will stand him in good stead for the rest of the season.
The England international has had a difficult campaign after struggling to fully recover from the mental and physical damage that last season's horrific leg break caused.
Shaw has returned to the fold in recent weeks, however, and the full-back started and finished Thursday's European tie at Old Trafford as the Red Devils booked their spot in the semi-finals of the competition with a 2-1 victory in extra-time.
The 21-year-old has also spoken about Man United's ambitions this season, insisting that the club want to finish in the top four in the Premier League in addition to lifting the Europa League trophy.
Shaw told MUTV:
"I haven’t had much game-time recently and I think, especially with the 120 minutes, it will help a lot with my fitness levels.
“It will help me get through the games coming up easier. Of course, we will recover well but the great thing about our squad is we have quality players all around in every position and people can come in and go out.
"When their chance comes, they take it and the team at the moment are very strong in training and everyone is fighting for a place because we have important games coming up."
“Obviously, we want to fight for the top four as well and now we have the semis and everyone wants to be playing, so the sort of quality in the training is good with everyone showing what they can do to get in the first XI.”
Man United, who will take on Celta Vigo in the semi-finals of the Europa League, will continue their pursuit of the top four in the Premier League when they travel to Burnley this weekend.
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