Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is experiencing yet another setback in his ongoing recovery from injury, preventing him from participating in any matches this season.
Shaw last played for the club in February of the previous season, suffering a hamstring injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign.
Although he managed to return in time for the European Championship, where he featured in three matches, including the final against Spain, a new calf issue hindered his pre-season preparations.
Initially, Shaw was expected to return by early September, but his recovery has faced multiple delays. In his final press conference before being dismissed on Monday, former manager Erik ten Hag confirmed the troubling news regarding Shaw’s fitness.
“The process is not going as we expected, that’s the truth,” Ten Hag stated following a loss to West Ham. He elaborated on Shaw’s recent difficulties, highlighting the importance of a cautious approach:
“When he is now dropping again, we want to be very careful. We know his past. We have to do this right because we want him to be available because he will have a big impact on our performances and on our levels.”
With interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy set to lead the team, he does not anticipate Shaw’s availability for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup clash against Leicester City.
This situation complicates matters for Ruben Amorim, who is expected to be named as Ten Hag’s permanent successor.
Reports from Portuguese media outlet A Bola suggest that United executives have traveled to Lisbon to finalize a deal for Amorim, who is reportedly eager to take on the role.
There is hope that the 39-year-old could be in the dugout for United’s upcoming match against Chelsea on Sunday.
In Shaw’s absence, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot are likely to continue sharing responsibilities at left-back, further stressing the importance of Shaw’s return for the team’s performance.