Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has admitted that Luke Shaw's ongoing injury problems are "complicated", with the Portuguese unsure when the left-back could be available for selection again.
Shaw has only made three appearances for Man United this season due to injury issues, with his latest muscular problem keeping him on the sidelines since the start of December.
The 29-year-old recently handed the 20-time English champions a huge injury boost by returning to training, but he has had another setback and is not expected to resume training until next week at the very earliest.
Amorim has said that Shaw "has a small issue different from the injury", and it is unclear at this stage when the defender could be back.
"Yeah, it's hard. It's hard to give you a time, because he has a small issue different from the injury," Amorim told reporters.
"Then he has to stop. Then we have to return a little bit to work the fitness, to be aware of the last injury. So it's a complicated moment to try to tell you a timeline. I don't want any pressure on the medical department, or on Luke. We just need the players fit to help the team."
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Shaw has had another injury setback for Man United
Shaw has made 278 appearances for Man United since his arrival from Southampton in 2014, scoring four goals and registering 28 assists in the process, but he has only made 14 Premier League outings since the start of last season.
There are ongoing concerns surrounding Shaw's long-term fitness due to his constant injury problems, and Man United brought in Patrick Dorgu during the January transfer window to boost their options down the left.
Dorgu, 20, could immediately become a vital player for the Red Devils, as Tyrell Malacia was allowed to join PSV Eindhoven on loan, while Lisandro Martinez is out for the remainder of the season with a serious knee injury.
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Amorim opens up on Man United difficulties
Amorim also admitted that "it is hard to sleep" amid Man United's current problems, with the Portuguese having a difficult time since taking charge of the Red Devils in November.
"It's really hard, just the way we are sometimes losing. I understand that we had a lot of games without training, but even then, in that context, I feel that we should do better," he added during his press conference.
"And when you are a coach, you want to win games and then when you are a coach that feels all the time that feeling of winning and to cope with everything when you have these problems. Of course, you have difficult moments, it is hard to sleep and whatever.
"One good thing that I learned in this moment, is even in the good moments or the bad moments, my idea is so clear that I make the same decisions without any other concerns. I just want to help the team to win, and I know that we can change things in the other side. I know that we need to survive in this moment because in football, when you don't win, you have problems."
Man United will be looking to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup when they welcome fellow Premier League outfit Leicester City to Old Trafford on Friday night.
Matt Law
