Luke Shaw has had plenty of ups and downs in his Manchester United career, but the left-back has now cemented himself as one of their most important players.
The 25-year-old had a starring role in United's 2-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday, scoring their second goal with a well-taken strike.
Shaw joined United from Southampton back in 2014 but struggled with injuries and form.
One of his most serious setbacks was a severe leg injury he suffered in a Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven in 2015.
A challenge from Hector Moreno left him with a double fracture in his right leg which kept him out of action for almost a year.
Shaw later revealed that he almost lost his leg, telling reporters in 2018: "I was really close to losing my leg but I didn't know that until six months later when the doctor told me.
"At the time they were thinking about flying me back. But if I’d flown back, I would probably have lost my leg because of the blood clots. I've got two scars down the side of my leg where they had to cut me open and pull them out. I only found out six months later."
When Shaw returned to action in 2016, Jose Mourinho had replaced Louis van Gaal as manager and the left-back has since opened up about the "difficult" time he endured with Mourinho in charge.
He was repeatedly singled out for criticism, most notably after a draw against Everton where Mourinho said: "He [Shaw] had a good performance, but it was his body with my brain. He was in front of me and I was making every decision for him."
Speaking to BBC Sport in February, Shaw said: "It was difficult because I wasn't able to get my word across. A lot of people were behind me here, so I knew I had that backing, but I just needed to keep my head down and keep quiet.
"People were saying negative things about me but I just look back at it as a learning curve and something that has improved me as a person off the pitch, not just on it.
"You always have some doubts. I have been very unfortunate to pick up the injuries I have had but I've always believed I can be an important player here.
"You want to be here and showing people what you can do. Hopefully I can keep doing that and proving people wrong."
Shaw also endured criticism of his physique and opened up about being "fat-shamed" in 2018, saying: "Of course people can say I’m fat, but I know my own body.
"I always look big because I’m bigger built and I’m sort of, you could say, a Wayne Rooney type of body. I guess you’ve just got to take it, because there’s always going to be negative criticism and positive, but both of them can make you stronger.
"I think I’ve been unlucky because I’ve had a few ups and downs with different managers and sometimes people don’t think I’m fitter than I am, but that’s all in the past now."
Now, Shaw is one of United's most influential players and Rio Ferdinand has hailed the defender for coming "back from the depths".
Speaking on his Vibe with FIVE podcast, Ferdinand said: "I think in seasons gone by, you could throw at him in terms of his application, he looked a little bit off the pace, a little bit lazy at times.
"We have to look at where he's come from mentally by the way, this is a kid who looked like he was on the scrap heap of Manchester United.
"Mourinho discarded him, the kid was a broken man, he's come back from the depths to being one of the most important players at Man United, so you have to commend him for that."
