Luke Shaw has seen his season take another nightmare turn after Erik ten Hag provided an important update on the Manchester United and England defender.
The 28-year-old Manchester United full-back has been hit with injuries in the current campaign, with Erik ten Hag left short of left-back options.
Back-up left-back Tyrell Malacia has been sidelined due to a long-term injury, while Sergio Reguilon’s loan spell was ended in the January transfer window.
Luke Shaw suffered a setback earlier this season after he was sidelined for three months – from August to November 2023 – due to a muscle injury.
The United star returned to first-team action after recovering from his injury, but Shaw’s season was derailed for the second time due to another injury issue.
United confirmed in February that Shaw would be “absent for a few months” after he came off in the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over Luton Town at Kenilworth Road.
Shaw, who has been nursing a hamstring problem, has not been in action for United since February and is also a doubt for England’s Euro 2024 campaign in the summer.
Ten Hag’s update on Man Utd star Shaw
Erik ten Hag has been forced to turn to Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot as makeshift left-backs in the absence of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
Shaw appeared to be inching closer to a potential return for Manchester United after spending time on the sidelines to recover from his injury.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Ten Hag admitted that there had been a “setback” and the England international’s return had been delayed.
However, the United boss remained optimistic about Shaw and is hopeful the United left-back will return to fitness for the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
“Luke Shaw had a setback in his process as well but there is still hope and he will fight to be available for the final,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
The Shaw dilemma at Man Utd this season
Shaw’s absence from the left-back role has been felt this season and his latest setback has served as another nightmare moment in his campaign.
However, Ten Hag’s main focus will be for the United star to recover from his injury in time for the FA Cup final on 25th May at Wembley.
The Red Devils have only three Premier League matches remaining this season, with their next outing against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.
United can no longer finish inside the top four or secure Champions League football, but Ten Hag’s men are still fighting for a place in another European competition.
Ten Hag will likely be able to manage the next three matches without Shaw, but the FA Cup is a fixture the United boss will desperately need the England defender.
The under-fire Dutchman reached his second consecutive FA Cup final as United boss after the Red Devils avoided an FA Cup upset against Coventry City.
Ten Hag fell short of the FA Cup trophy last season after United suffered a 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Wembley in the final in 2023.
Shaw’s fitness is paramount for not only the FA Cup final but also for England boss Gareth Southgate ahead of the Euro 2024 campaign in Germany.