Manchester United fullback Alexander Buttner was the making of Luke Shaw at Southampton, it has been revealed.
It was United's decision to sign Dutch left-back Buttner that handed Shaw his big first-team break with the Saints.
A St Mary's source told the Sunday Mirror: "Southampton were going to sign Buttner, but he ended up going to Manchester United. They gave Danny Fox a go at left-back and then Luke was given a chance sooner than he probably expected.
"The club are determined not to sell Luke in January and Cortese values him very, very highly."
For breaking stories and all the great banter like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tribalfootball