Erik ten Hag has shared the latest information on Luke Shaw, with the left-back still not yet ready to return.
Manchester United kick off their Carabao Cup campaign at home to Barnsley this evening, in a game that the Red Devils should win, despite what sort of side Erik ten Hag decides to put out.
Before that, the gaffer provided an injury update on the squad, detailing that the likes of Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt are all fine after their scares against Southampton on Saturday.
Ten Hag also provided an important update on the fitness of key first-team player, Luke Shaw. However, the player is ‘not ready yet’, according to the Dutchman. The good news? The left-back is progressing, though the club do not want to rush Shaw back into action.
The boss was keen to not put a return date on Shaw, as he doesn’t want to add any extra pressure to the situation.
Check out what the gaffer had to say in full here:
“First, Luke Shaw, he’s progressing but not ready yet to be selected,” Ten Hag told ManUtd.com. “Of course, we have a plan in our head when he can be ready but you are always dependent on how the progress will go. You can’t think, you can’t make a suggestion [of a return date] because there are so many factors why a plan can accelerate or slow down.”
Ever since suffering that horrific leg break, Shaw has always picked up niggling injuries. It’s a massive shame as it always holds the Englishman back from reaching his true potential.
As a result, United need a constant contingency plan in place. Tyrell Malacia was that plan, though he too has his own injury demons…
United play better when Shaw is in the team, there’s no doubt about that. Diogo Dalot has done a decent stand-in job at left-back but it’s clear he’s far more comfortable over on the right-hand side. The sooner Shaw is back, the better it’ll be for the overall balance and shape of the squad.
However, United could be forced into bringing in another new left-back next summer. You cannot completely rely on Shaw and it could be time to move on from the 29-year-old as he’s just unreliable and the fans are now starting to get frustrated with his injury problems.
Do you think Man United need to sign a new left-back? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below.
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