Former England and Manchester United striker Michael Owen is confident Luke Shaw is ready for the challenge of playing for a "really big club."

United are trying to sign 18-year-old Saints defender Shaw, who has been included in England boss Roy Hodgson's squad for this summer's World Cup, having tabled a £27m bid earlier this week.

The left-back already has over 50 Barclays Premier League starts and a senior international cap to his name.

And when asked about the prospect of Shaw joining United, Owen, who made such a memorable impact at the 1998 World Cup as an 18-year-old, told the Press Association: "It's always good to keep progressing up the ladder and to play at the highest standard.

"And once you have had the experience that Luke Shaw has had in the Premier League, you are certainly ready for that challenge now.

"Having had the first-team experience he has, and now going to a World Cup, I'd say he is more than ready to join a really big club - if Southampton let him go."