Luke Shaw says he will fight to save his Manchester United career, claiming he "loves" being at Old Trafford despite having been repeatedly criticised by manager Jose Mourinho for his attitude and "football brain" in recent days.
Shaw, 21, made only his second appearance since the end of January by making a second-half substitute appearance during Tuesday's 1-1 Premier League draw against Everton.
The England international, a £27 million signing from Southampton in 2014, has made just 44 appearances for United during his three seasons at the club due to a succession of injury and fitness problems, including a nine-month layoff with a broken leg and high-profile criticisms from Mourinho and his predecessor Louis van Gaal.
Mourinho has repeatedly singled Shaw out in public this season, particularly over the last week, but after returning to action against Everton, the full-back, whose contract expires at the end of next term, says he is now fully focused on proving himself to his manager and winning back his place in the team.
"Sometimes I tend to keep it on the low, but obviously with the stuff that has been going on, it is hard for me to take because, deep down, that is not me as a person," Shaw told reporters.
"Like Jose said, he wants to see me fighting -- and I will fight to the last second because I want to be here for the club. I want to play for the manager and I want to help this team get back to the top.
"I am working really hard at the moment, especially now, more than ever. I am going through a phase where everything sort of is going against me, but I want this so badly and I want to prove everyone wrong."
Shaw's appearance against Everton came just a day after face-to-face talks with Mourinho about his future at the club.
The meeting came in the wake of Mourinho claiming that Shaw was "way behind" his teammates in terms of his approach to training and winning back his place.
Former United physio Matt Radcliffe has suggested the treatment being handed out to Shaw by Mourinho could be seen as "bullying," but the defender is determined to simply focus on his football.
"I have missed it so much, being on the pitch," he said. "I really do love football and I love to play on the pitch. I am loving it here at United, the fans are incredible and have been incredible the last couple of days for obviously what has been going on.
"But I am keeping my head up and I am going to fight to the last. I am not going to give up. I love this club and I will give everything to be here.
"The fans have been so good to me and, like I said, especially the last sort of two days. That's why I love them. It is easy for them to see those comments and turn on me, do you know what I mean?
"But the passion they have always shown to me is amazing and something I don't and won't forget for a long time because it means a lot to me. I don't want to let them down and I'll fight for each and every one of the fans as well."