Manchester United thought Shaw was the answer to a Patrice Evra-sized problem. Signed in 2014 for £27m, club chiefs instantly believed he was the man to succeed the Frenchman on the left side of their defence.
But it is only now, four years on, that the England international is showing his best form. Injuries and inconsistency, it seems, have finally made way.
Manchester United are now seeing a player operating at the peak of his powers. And Mourinho himself has won a personal battle.
Much has been made of the way he has treated Shaw throughout his time at the club.
Some claimed Jose Mourinho’s treatment – described as ‘bullying’ by several pundits – has crossed a line.
Shaw’s own entourage have thought the same. His family were worried last season when the player spent much of his time in the reserves – not even making the bench.
But the United manager has actually made sacrifices on his star pupil’s path to redemption.
Mourinho has always wanted Shaw to come good. A Chelsea snub aside, he has always liked the 23-year-old.
Question marks have never existed about his ability. Instead, about his attitude and commitment.
Because Shaw has not been entirely blameless.
Over-indulging off the football pitch has cost him in the past. Mourinho, like Louis van Gaal before him, has long had concerns over Shaw’s body shape.
As the player himself put it recently, he is made in the mould of Wayne Rooney. Chunky, not fat. Strong, not tubby.
Yet what you see now is a completely different Shaw. Mourinho’s decision to bin off tough love and instead embrace the youngster’s troubles have yielded a different player than before.
Mourinho’s own decision-making has paid off too.
In the summer, he wanted a left-back. One by the name of Alex Sandro, in particular.
But transfer talk surrounding the Brazilian died down. Because of the United boss.
It was he who was convinced that this year would be Shaw’s time to shine.
He told him as much during pre-season, texting the player when he was in Dubai. “You can be the best,” it said.
As a result, plans to sign Sandro were shelved. Juventus’ £60million asking price was another reason why.
Mourinho has played as big a role as Shaw in his United redemption. It’s time for the player to now continue to repay his manager on the field.