Erik ten Hag offers new estimate on Luke Shaw’s return from injury

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is hopeful about Luke Shaw’s possible return from injury in the coming weeks, although his fitness remains uncertain.

Shaw has been out for over seven months, missing the end of last season due to a hamstring injury. He made a brief comeback for England during the later stages of Euro 2024 but is now facing a calf issue.

With Tyrell Malacia also unavailable, Ten Hag has encountered difficulties with left-back options. Lisandro Martinez and emerging midfielder Toby Collyer have stepped in, while Diogo Dalot has been the primary option since the arrival of right-back Noussair Mazraoui.

Initially, Shaw was expected to return after the September international break, which has now passed without his return. The new aim is for him to be back before the October international break.

“I think it’s likely to be before the international break, but I can’t say for certain. The plan is to return before then, but it might take a little longer,” Ten Hag said on Tuesday.

The squad for Thursday’s match against Twente will remain the same as the one that played against Crystal Palace over the weekend. Victor Lindelof is close to full recovery, while summer signing Leny Yoro is anticipated to return in late November.

It is unclear whether Ten Hag will rotate his defense for the Europa League opener, having used the same back four in the last three Premier League matches. Jonny Evans and Harry Maguire are potential options to alleviate the workload on regular starters. Ten Hag has expressed concerns about the increasing demands of a crowded fixture schedule.

“As a club, you can’t change this situation alone,” he remarked. “It’s a broader issue involving clubs, players, coaches, and others in football who need to collaborate to improve the game while finding a balance, as financial considerations are involved. We are professionals, so revenues are necessary, but we must strike the right balance.”