Erik ten Hag admits to concerns over 28-year-old's injury issues

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 02 June 2024

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag says that Luke Shaw "will never be able to play 60 games in a year" due to the severe leg injury he suffered in 2015.

Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag has claimed that Luke Shaw "will never be able to play 60 games in a year" due to the severe leg injury that occurred earlier in his career.

The 28-year-old suffered a double leg fracture during a Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven back in 2015, and he later admitted that he almost lost his right leg due to complications.

Shaw made close to 50 appearances for Man United during the 2020-21 and 2022-23 campaigns, but he was restricted to just 15 outings in 2023-24 due to various muscular problems.

The left-back missed the FA Cup final against Manchester City and faces a battle to be available to represent England at this summer's European Championship.

Ten Hag has said that Shaw "is the best left-back in the world", but the Dutchman believes that the defender's serious leg injury nine years ago is still causing him problems.

Manchester United's Luke Shaw walks off the pitch to be substituted due to injury on February 18, 2024 © Reuters

Ten Hag brands Shaw "the best left-back in the world"

"Shaw is the best left-back in the world, he is so good. But he had a very serious injury at the beginning of his career. As a result, he will never be able to play 60 games in a year," The Mirror quotes the manager as saying.

Man United were also without back-up left-back Tyrell Malacia for the whole of the 2023-24 campaign due to a knee injury which required two separate knee operations.

"Malacia hasn't played a minute all season. He hasn't even been on the training pitch once," added the Dutchman.

"We had recruited Malacia at the start of last season precisely as a back-up for Luke Shaw, those two options had to bring us a lot. The idea with Malacia was very good, and he just did well last season, but this season we never had him.

"This season is by far the hardest season I have ever had. Of everyone in the organisation, I have had the most contact with the club doctor this season. I think that says it all."

Tyrell Malacia in action for Manchester United on August 7, 2022 © Reuters

Man Utd are set to target a new left-back this summer

Man United are widely expected to bring a new left-back to Old Trafford during this summer's transfer window, with the club having concerns over Shaw's long-term injury issues.

Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez has allegedly emerged as an option, with the 20-year-old impressing in his first season in the Premier League.

Victor Lindelof, Sofyan Amrabat, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot have all spent time at left-back for Man United this season due to the team's injury problems.

However, Amrabat's loan deal from Fiorentina is due to expire at the end of this month, while Lindelof and Wan-Bissaka are both being linked with moves away from Old Trafford.

Ten Hag has also said that he wants to bring a centre-back, central midfielder and centre-forward to the club during this summer's transfer window.