Manchester United would be eager to start a winning run after three points vs Brentford but a trip to Turkey to face Fenerbahce is a tough fixture to follow.
The performance vs Brentford was encouraging and definitely something to build upon but in Bruno Fernandes, Erik ten Hag will miss his Europa League specialist.
Add that to the list of absentees as Jonny Evans, who has enjoyed a Man Utd resurgence, also missing with a knock and the injury worries are striking.
At least some respite was delivered at the weekend as Noussair Mazraoui made his return, while the likes of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte are likely to be fit.
However, the biggest boost for Ten Hag will be the return of a long-term absentee who was spotted training on grass ahead of the game.
Luke Shaw steps up recovery
It has been a long time coming but Manchester United might finally be in a position to field a natural left-back in the starting XI.
Not since Shaw himself got injured last season has United seen the services of a natural left-back and his injury at the start of this season was extremely frustrating for Man Utd fans.
The club has been extremely cautious with Shaw’s return due to his extensive injury history and there really are no excuses this time.
Ahead of the game vs Fenerbahce, Shaw was spotted back training on grass as he steps up his recovery from injury.
However, he was training individually which means fans shouldn’t expect a swift return to the first-team for the player, at least for this game.
On the other hand, Tyrell Malacia, who last played for United in May 2023, trained with the group so this might be the game where he at least travels with the team, if not make the final squad.
Both senior left-backs returning before the next international break is a huge boost for Ten Hag and he will hope that further injury worries are kept to a minimum.
Caution vs need
Shaw infamously played six games in 20 days after returning from injury last season and the sixth of those was the one where he was subbed off at half-time.
He was next seen playing for England in the latter stages of the Euros, also playing in the final of the tournament.
Therefore, his return to United and immediate injury frustrated fans the most since they believed he shouldn’t have gone with the national team if he wasn’t completely fit.
Now, with the club being so cautious with his return, effectively putting the need for a left-back behind the player’s status, a tough decision will have to be made if he gets injured soon after his return.
Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot have held the fort admirably for a while now but the presence and skill set of a natural, dynamic left-back can’t be replicated by a makeshift option.
Ten Hag has rued the absence of a natural left-back and with Harry Amass clearly not deemed ready, this is the position in most urgent need of returns.
Fortunately, those returns seem to be on the horizon.
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