Manchester United arrived in the Netherlands two days ago to begin match preparations for their first Champions League group match in 2 years. Before the match all of the players were excited for the match up.
Looking forward to starting our @ChampionsLeague journey tonight, aiming to get off to a good start!! #MUFC 🔴🔴 pic.twitter.com/8buU9AnRqY
— Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) September 15, 2015
In the 15th minute, with score at 0-0, Shaw surged towards goal. Mexican defender, Hector Moreno, flew across the box, and put in a strong, two footed challenge on the left back. Shaw stayed down for 8 minutes whilst medics prepped him on the stretcher, and put him on oxygen. He was taken to hospital to have surgery on a double fracture on his right leg.
Since the incident his team mates have taken to Twitter to voice their support for their fallen comrade:
All the best to you my friend @LukeShaw23 , and your family , difficult time but you are a beast and you will come back stronger than ever .
— Morgan Schneiderlin (@SchneiderlinMo4) September 16, 2015
my thoughts are for you! you will come back more stronger good recovery @LukeShaw23 — Anthony Martial (@AnthonyMartial) September 16, 2015
My thoughts are with @LukeShaw23, Friend i wish you a good recovery! #gwsshaw
— Daley Blind (@BlindDaley) September 16, 2015
My man Luke, what an awful night. You’ll get back on top, I’m sure of that. pic.twitter.com/s8TNfC23pn — Memphis (@Memphis) September 15, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with @LukeShaw23 Hoping for a quick recovery and to be playing alongside him again as soon as possible! 🙏🏽
— Chris Smalling (@ChrisSmalling) September 15, 2015
Louis van Gaal expressed his dismay at the incident during the post match conference:
“It is awful. It was a very bad tackle. He had the oxygen mask on and was crying in the dressing room,”
“A boy who came to Manchester United at 18 years old, it was very difficult, and the next season he plays fantastic and then that happens like this,”
“When I say it is a red card and penalty, you will say I am a bad loser. Every word I say is taken in the wrong way. It was in the 18-yard box and it was very bad tackle with two legs.
“I’m not a doctor so I cannot say, but when you have a double fracture it is four to six months. But you can never say that in advance.
“He won’t play in the group stage, I don’t think. I hope he will play again this season.”
Manchester United have also released a statement:
“Luke Shaw underwent surgery on his injury on Tuesday night and will remain in hospital in Eindhoven to continue his early recovery.”
“Manchester United are grateful for the excellent care he is receiving and would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of support.”
“A further update will be provided in due course.”
The offending PSV player, Moreno, wasn’t even booked by referee Nicola Rizzoli for his two footed tackle. The defender went on to score PSV’s equaliser during Shaw’s injury time, in the first half.
Luke Shaw has come on leaps and bounds this season, putting in some great performances. One would expect Marcos Rojo to be his successor at left back, as he plays in that position for Argentina. In the game, Blind was pushed over to break up the very successful partnership with Chris Smalling. PSV’s winner came from their right winger Luciano Narsingh who was being kept under wraps by Luke Shaw, be it for only quarter of an hour.
Luke Shaw has now joined Phil Jones on the injury list at Manchester United, and is expected to be out for at least 3 months. Shaw has tweeted:
Thank you everyone for your messages , words can’t describe how gutted I am , my road to recovery starts now, I will come back stronger. — Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) September 15, 2015
