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."
