Erik ten Hag offers new estimate on Luke Shaw's return from injury
- Luke Shaw remains sidelined for Man Utd with injury
- Left-back last played at club level in February
- Erik ten Hag has been asked about return
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is hopeful of having Luke Shaw back from injury in the coming weeks, but there are still no guarantees over the left-back’s fitness.
Shaw hasn't played for United in more than seven months, missing the end of last season with a hamstring injury. He then returned to fitness to play for England in the latter stages of Euro 2024, but has since succumbed to further trouble when he suffered a calf problem.
With Tyrell Malacia also still not available, Ten Hag has been short of left-back cover. Lisandro Martinez and even emerging midfielder Toby Collyer have had game time there, with Diogo Dalot the preferred option since the arrival of fellow right-back Noussair Mazraoui.
The original estimate for Shaw to return was following the September international break, but that time came and went. Before the next international break in October is now the target.
"I think it's probably [before the international break], but I can't say this for 100 per cent sure. The plan is to be back before, but it can be a short while after," Ten Hag explained on Tuesday.
The squad available to Ten Hag for the Thursday's visit of Twente is the same as he had for the Premier League trip to Crystal Palace over the weekend. Victor Lindelof is in the final stages of his recovery, while summer signing Leny Yoro is expected to return in late November.
It remains to be seen if the United boss will rotate his defence for the Europa League opener, having chosen the same back four for each of the last three Premier League games. Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire are options to relieve the burden on the usual starters, with Ten Hag joining several recent voices critical of the demands from the congestion growing fixture list.
"I think, as a club alone, you can't change this," he explained.
"It's more about the total industry. It's about clubs, and players, and coaches, and so many others, who are there in the environment of football, who have to work on this to improve the game, but of course to find the right balance, because in the end of the day, it's financial. We are professional, so revenues have to come. But we have to balance this out."
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