Erik ten Hag has provided an update on Luke Shaw’s injury status for Manchester United following the left-back being substituted.
Having only come back from injury a few weeks ago, there was understandable concern when Luke Shaw was substituted at half-time during Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Aston Villa.
Rasmus Hojlund netted the opening goal in the first half for the Red Devils but Douglas Luiz equalised for Villa in the second half. Things were looking bleak for the Red Devils but Scott McTominay netted the late winner.
However, as mentioned, there was concern when Shaw was replaced at half-time by Victor Lindelof, who struggled to deal with Moussa Diaby in the second half.
Ten Hag on Shaw injury
Speaking after the game at Old Trafford, Erik ten Hag has provided an update on the Englishman’s fitness following the half-time enforced change.
“Precaution. He had some complaints and we can’t take any risks with him because he’s had any injuries in the past,” he said as per Simon Stone on X.
“We’ll have to see how it goes in the next few days. It’s not an advantage to lose him, everyone knows my philosophy to have left-footers at left centre-back and left-back. We have to make compromises, and it is not to our advantage.”
Having Shaw fit for the rest of the season would be key for United as the importance of the defender cannot be understated, particularly with the Red Devils’ attacking play being much more fluid when the Englishman was playing.
There was a stark decline in United’s attacking play when the defender came off at half-time so keeping the former Southampton defender fit would be vital.
Shaw’s importance
The left-back has a very good partnership with Marcus Rashford and this duo has led to the Red Devils looking much more dangerous going forward.
When Lindelof came on against Villa, the Swede could not offer the same attacking threat that the English defender could offer to the United team.
His recent injury record, however, is cause for concern and if this recent layoff is anything serious, then this should be a worry.
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