Liverpool playmaker Adam Lallana has come to the defence of his former Southampton teammate Luke Shaw in the wake of Jose Mourinho's criticism.
Mourinho, as has become customary to him, has been airing his dirty laundry in public, and criticising his players in the press.
The new ManchesterUnited boss questioned Shaw's commitment after the side's 3-1 win over Swansea last weekend, blasting Chris Smalling as well, because the players ruled themselves out of the match due to fitness concerns.
"What I mean is that we have players with problems," Mourinho said (Independent). "But we also have players on the pitch who have problems.
I have friends from other sports, playing at the highest level. How many times do they play when they are not 100 per cent?
I have a friend who is a big tennis player and he tells me that he remembers more times when he has played with pain than the times he has played without any pain.
"To compete, you have to work to the limits. It is a cultural thing, for some. But that's not my culture.�
Lallana, however, insists that Shaw's character should leave him above question, having played together with him at St Mary's.
I was with Luke Shaw at Southampton,� he said to the Daily Star (H/T Goal).
He's a very strong boy. He's had a horrific leg injury. You don't come back from that without being mentally and physically strong.
You don't come back from a leg break like he had without having difficult times mentally on your own.�