Luke Shaw says he never thought about leaving Manchester United whilst playing under Jose Mourinho.
The Portuguese manager publicly criticised Shaw on more than one occasion, which saw the left-back linked with an exit from Old Trafford.
But the Englishman outlasted Mourinho and has come into his own for the Red Devils this season.
"It was a very hard time a couple of years back when I wasn't playing, when I wasn't even involved," Shaw told BBC Sport heading into an FA Cup fifth-round clash with West Ham on Tuesday.
"I always believed in myself. There were times where maybe people were thinking 'maybe he could leave', but I always believed that one day I would be able to fight my way back into the team and show people what my qualities are.
"I feel like I am starting to do that now but there is still more to come. I'm still quite young and have time to improve."
He added on being singled out by Mourinho: "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."
