Manchester United has announced that left-back Luke Shaw will miss the start of the new Premier League season due to a calf injury sustained during pre-season training.
This is a significant blow for the team, as Shaw was already sidelined for several months last season with a similar issue.
He only recently returned to action during England’s Euro 2024 campaign.
The club has confirmed that Shaw is working hard on his rehabilitation, with the aim of being available for selection after the first international break in September.
This means he will miss at least three games, including the opening match against Fulham, the trip to Brighton & Hove Albion, and the high-profile encounter with Liverpool.
Erik ten Hag, United’s manager, will need to find a suitable replacement for Shaw, but options are limited.
Tyrell Malacia, the natural deputy, is still recovering from an injury that kept him out for the entire last season and is not expected back until October.
This leaves Ten Hag with a dilemma, as he may need to rely on makeshift solutions or give younger players like 17-year-old Harry Amass an opportunity to step up.
In the recent Community Shield defeat to Manchester City, centre-back Lisandro Martinez was deployed out of position on the left, highlighting the team’s lack of natural alternatives.
With Shaw’s injury, United’s defensive options have been further depleted, and Ten Hag will need to find a solution to ensure the team can compete effectively in the opening weeks of the season.
Luke Shaw’s calf injury is a significant setback for Manchester United, leaving the team without a natural left-back option for the start of the season.
With limited alternatives, Erik ten Hag will need to find a solution to ensure the team can maintain their defensive solidity and compete effectively in the opening weeks of the campaign.