Erik Ten Hag Expresses Concerns About 28-year-old’s Injury Problems

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has stated that Luke Shaw “will never be able to play 60 games in a year” due to the severe leg injury he suffered earlier in his career. The 28-year-old sustained a double leg fracture during a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven in 2015 and later revealed that he almost lost his right leg due to complications.

Shaw made nearly 50 appearances for Man United in the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons but was limited to just 15 outings in the 2023-24 campaign due to various muscular issues. The left-back missed the FA Cup final against Manchester City and faces a challenge to be fit for England in this summer’s European Championship.

Ten Hag has praised Shaw as “the best left-back in the world,” but the Dutchman believes that the serious leg injury from nine years ago continues to affect him.

Erik ten Hag has branded Luke Shaw “the best left-back in the world.” “Shaw is the best left-back in the world, he is so good. But he had a very serious injury at the beginning of his career. As a result, he will never be able to play 60 games in a year,” The Mirror quotes the manager as saying.

Manchester United also faced the entire 2023-24 campaign without back-up left-back Tyrell Malacia, who was sidelined due to a knee injury that required two surgeries.

“Malacia hasn’t played a minute all season. He hasn’t even been on the training pitch once,” added the Dutchman.

“We recruited Malacia at the start of last season precisely as a back-up for Luke Shaw. Those two options were supposed to provide us with a lot. The idea with Malacia was very good, and he did well last season, but this season we never had him.

“This season is by far the hardest I have ever had. Of everyone in the organization, I have had the most contact with the club doctor this season. I think that says it all.”

Manchester United are expected to target a new left-back in this summer’s transfer window, amid concerns over Luke Shaw’s long-term injury issues.

Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has reportedly emerged as an option, with the 20-year-old impressing in his first season in the Premier League.

Due to the team’s injury problems, Victor Lindelof, Sofyan Amrabat, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Diogo Dalot have all spent time at left-back for Man United this season.

However, Amrabat’s loan deal from Fiorentina is set to expire at the end of the month, while Lindelof and Wan-Bissaka are both being linked with potential moves away from Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has also indicated his desire to bring in a centre-back, central midfielder, and centre-forward during this summer’s transfer window.