Man Utd suffer injury blow as Erik ten Hag loses key man for rest of the season
Luke Shaw is expected to miss the rest of the season after picking up another injury in Manchester United's win over Luton on Sunday.
Shaw was substituted at the end of the first half at Kenilworth Road, with Victor Lindelof replacing him. United picked up their fourth straight Premier League win thanks to Rasmus Hojlund's early brace to revive hopes of finishing in the top four, but they have now been rocked by Shaw's prognosis.
The Daily Mail reports that Shaw has suffered a recurrence of a previous leg injury and was seen limping onto the United team bus after the match. He is now likely to miss their remaining 13 Premier League matches, posing a huge problem for Erik ten Hag at left-back.
The 28-year-old has only managed to play 15 games this season having been dogged by injuries. He missed the opening three months of the campaign with a thigh complaint and, after returning, had to be taken off at half-time of the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on February 11.
After the Villa game, Ten Hag confirmed he was aware of the risk of pushing Shaw too hard. “[It was a] precaution," he said of the decision to substitute him. "He mentioned some complaints and we can't take a risk with, especially Luke Shaw, because he has had so many injuries in the past. We took him off so that it did not become an injury."
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That nightmare of an injury recurrence has now become reality to leave Ten Hag with a familiar headache at left-back. United's other specialist in the position, Tyrell Malacia, is yet to make a single appearance this season following complications after knee surgery and the club decided to terminate Sergio Reguilon's loan spell from Tottenham early in January when Shaw returned.
Luke Shaw has struggled with injuries this season, playing just 15 games (Chloe Knott/Getty Images)Lindelof is not a natural in the position and the other work-around seen earlier this season of Sofyan Amrabat playing at left-back also did not work out. United are sixth in the Premier League, five points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa. They will look to continue their momentum when they face Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday
Shaw's injury is also an issue for England manager Gareth Southgate as he looks ahead to Euro 2024 in Germany. The United defender will miss the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium next month and could be a doubt for the Euros as well. Chelsea defender Ben Chilwell is back fit again, but Shaw has been Southgate's preferred option at left-back when fully fit.
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