Manchester United have lost their top left back Luke Shaw for at least 6 months and he joins two other Englishmen, Phil Jones and Wayne Rooney, on the injury list.
Speaking to MUTV Louis van Gaal had this to say about Luke Shaw’s injury:
“I have to admit he was strong and firm,”
“It was different to the day before, so I was happy with that. But, of course, he knows that it is a long way to go for him. The operation was a good operation but nearly all the operations are always good. We have to wait and see how long it takes.”
“My speaking about the subject gives him spirit. All the players, all of his colleagues, have called him and that’s maybe not good [if he needs to rest]. I texted him to say I’d call him later because rest is also important for the recovery. Of course, we have a fantastic doctor and medical department.”
“We sent people to the Netherlands to take care of the travelling when he’s coming back. We have to take care of that and also of his family because his family is there. That is also great support for him. The main thing is how the development of the rehabilitation shall go.”
The boss was then asked how he’ll adapt his defence to cope with the loss of Shaw, the Dutchman replied:
“It’s a great loss. I have said in advance of this season already that it shall be the season of Luke Shaw. He had started fantastically and everybody had seen that. It is a great miss, a great loss.”
“You have to build up again a combination with the player in front of him. Memphis and Shaw were a very good combination and now you have to build up a new combination. You have to start again and that is difficult. It’s also difficult for the player who has to replace him.”
Van Gaal was then questioned as to the fitness of the other two players on the Red Devils’ injury list. He replied:
“Wayne is fit to play,”
“He’s only had one week out. It was because we weren’t taking any risks with him. Phil Jones has come back and trained with the group for the first time. He’s not match fit but he’s fit to train. Only Luke Shaw is injured.”
Although Manchester United’s only trained left back is injured, their injury situation is pretty good, far better than it was last season. Louis van Gaal has some tough choices to make for his starting eleven to face Southampton later today.
One reply on “Manchester United’s Injury Situation”
I do prefer Rojo to Blind at a left back.Smalling and Blind have connected well at central defence thus moving Blind and introducing Rojo will be tota disruption of defence line!