Ahead of Manchester United’s match against Southampton, Louis van Gaal offered updates regarding Luke Shaw’s recovery following the leg break he suffered against PSV Eindhoven and revealed the defender is in good spirits.
Shaw reportedly underwent multiple surgeries to repair the double fracture he received in United’s midweek match against PSV. Post-surgery, the young left-back has been recovering in Eindhoven before he’s fit to return to Manchester.
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On how the 20-year-old has been handling the situation, the manager gave some insight to reporters:
"“I called Luke Shaw last night. He sounds very strong, which is amazing for me, that’s a big surprise – a good signal. But he knows also that it’s a long way he has to come. It’s not easy but his family is there, we send people to him. When he can come back, we have everything prepared. Maybe he shall come back tomorrow, and he will have to go a long period of rehabilitation.”"
After the outcry of support from teammates and the manager alike, it seems as though the English footballer’s rehabilitation has gotten off to a good start. On how the injury impacts the team, the Dutch manager had this to say at the press conference:
"“It’s not only physical but also mental. It’s a big loss also for the team. I already said it shall be the season of Luke Shaw, and now it’s finished nearly. He started so well and we built up a left wing with Memphis and Luke Shaw, now we can start building up again. That’s not so easy, but we have to do it, we have to cope with it.”"
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As Van Gaal alluded to, how successful the recovery efforts will be depends not only on the physical exercises but also on Shaw’s mentality throughout the process. Supporters will be hoping he can return to the team at the same level he was before the injury and he should with age on his side.
Shaw had been developing a good partnership with the left wingers, particularly Memphis at the club but now other players will have a chance to get into the side. Memphis and Shaw were working in sync for the early part of the season, with the left-back relentlessly overlapping the winger to create havoc for opposing defences. But on who will step into the left-back role while the England international is injured, the manager said:
"“Shaw is the lineup player, I have already said that it is very difficult to replace him, certainly when he is in such good shape. But we have in Blind, Rojo, and Young, we have good replacements.”"
In Shaw’s absence, it will be crucial for the left-back replacement to develop in tandem with Memphis. With Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo the most likely candidates to step into the role, all hope is not lost. Blind played well last season when filling the void, linking up well with then winger Ashley Young but also showing solidity in defense. He arguably played better in that position than he did in his first-choice role as central holding midfielder.
Rojo could also successfully take on the responsibility. The Argentine has featured on the left side of the defense for his national squad and played there several times for Manchester United last season. With Rojo, however, it will likely be a longer process as he only just made his first appearance of the season against PSV in relief of the injured Shaw.
Fortunately for the Red Devils, left-back is one of the positions where squad depth isn’t a concern. It’s impossible to replace a talent such as Shaw, but playing Rojo or Blind in his absence doesn’t mean a large drop off in play – except for pace.