Manchester United defender Luke Shaw hits back at criticism of his weight

Shaw has started each of United's three pre-season games on their tour of the United States

Luke Shaw has hit back at criticism of conditioning as he hopes to win his place back at Manchester United.

United boss Jose Mourinho and his predecessor Louis van Gaal have both targeted Shaw over perceived weight and fitness issues, with fans and pundits also joining in.

However the England international has knuckled down this offseason starting each of United's three pre-season games on their tour of the United States.

And Shaw believes he's approaching his best once again after using the criticism against him as motivation.

"Of course people can say I'm fat, but I know my own body," he said. "I always look big because I'm bigger built and I have, you could say, a Wayne Rooney type of body."

“I guess you’ve just got to take it because there is always going to be negative criticism and positive but both of them can make you stronger.

"I’ve been unlucky because I’ve had a few ups and downs with different managers but I would say I’ve never been out of shape.

"Honestly, I feel really good and I’m raring to go, and the minutes [on tour] are only going to help me become fitter.”

Despite Mourinho's public criticism of Shaw, the England international said the Portuguese manager texted him in the off-season to spur him on.

Shaw has impressed on United's tour of the US (Man Utd via Getty Images)

“I was in Dubai with my girlfriend. It was funny – I was on my phone flicking through stuff. I got the text and accidentally clicked straight away [to reveal he read it]," he added.

"The manager was probably thinking: ‘Jesus Christ!’I said to my girlfriend: ‘I’ve just opened it and I must look so weird now.’ It was fine.

"I left it a little bit to reply because I didn’t want to look too eager. It was a breath of fresh air when he texted me. I wasn’t expecting it. I spoke to him and it was really positive.”