24 August 2023 , 23:47
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Manchester United have suffered yet another injury blow with left-back Luke Shaw set to spend an extended period on the sidelines after picking up a muscle issue.
The Red Devils medical team are still assessing the severity of the injury but the early hopes are that the England international is only out for weeks rather than months. The news is unlikely to have gone down well with boss Erik ten Hag, who will now have to call upon his alternative options.
Deputy left-back Tyrell Malacia i s nursing a knock himself that he sustained at the tail-end of last season and is unlikely to be able to fill in for Shaw while he recovers. As a result, Ten Hag may have to form a makeshift backline for some big games, including an away game at the home of big-six rivals Arsenal on September 3rd.
Shaw is not the only big name on the treatment table at United, with £55million summer signing Mason Mount also currently ruled out of action. Initial tests indicated the former Chelsea man would face just three weeks out and would return shortly after the international break.
Those hopes appear to have been dashed, with growing concern that Mount could be ruled out of action for as many as six weeks. Not only would that see him sit out the trip to the Emirates as well as another league clash against Nottingham Forest, but also United's two opening Champions League group games.
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United were already in the market for another midfielder but Mount's injury may increase Ten Hag's desire to further strengthen the club's options in the middle of the park.
Mount's spell out of action may also have an impact on the future of Scott McTominay. The United academy graduate had been expected to bid farewell to Old Trafford this summer amid interest from the likes of West Ham and Everton, but could now stay put.
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Luke Shaw has sustained an injury and will miss then next few weeks at the very least (Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)It has been a fairly underwhelming start to the new league campaign for United, as Ten Hag's men scraped a 1-0 win over Wolves at home in their first outing before their first away game saw them beaten 2-0 by Tottenham.
In both of those fixtures, United's midfield has been a glaring problem area. That has been the case with Mount involved, the likelihood of that problem being solved without having the England ace to call upon is incredibly low.
United have one week to make any last minute additions as they aim to stay within touching distance of the leading pack.