Manchester United sweating over Luke Shaw with fears left back could face five weeks out due to hamstring injury
- Luke Shaw suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s loss to Crystal Palace
- The Manchester United left back pulled up during the first half on Saturday
- He is set to miss games against Southampton, Leicester, West Ham and Arsenal
Manchester United fear Luke Shaw could be out for five weeks with a hamstring injury.
The 24-year-old pulled up during the first half of Saturday’s defeat to Crystal Palace and was replaced by Ashley Young.
Scans have since confirmed he is facing at least a month on the sidelines ruling him out of Premier League games against former club Southampton, Leicester City, West Ham and Arsenal.
Manchester United could be without first-choice left back Luke Shaw (left) for five weeks
Shaw suffered a hamstring injury during the first half of United’s 2-1 home defeat by Palace
The news comes as a blow to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as he looks to get his side back on track at Southampton this weekend following an indifferent start to the season.
Solskjaer is more hopeful over Anthony Martial’s thigh injury however, and the Frenchman’s recovery will not have an influence over whether Alexis Sanchez stays or departs before September 2.
The Chilean’s representatives were in London on Sunday as they try to finalise a season-long loan to Inter Milan, while United have also fielded further enquiries for full-back Matteo Darmian who is keen to return to Italy.
‘Alexis is a quality player. We don’t have loads of options,’ Solskjaer said. ‘If there is an offer that’s good enough for the club and him maybe he will go, but if not then he’s still our player and he’s a quality player.’
He had to be replaced by Ashley Young during the Premier League encounter at Old Trafford
Shaw battles for the ball with Palace star Wilfried Zaha prior to his injury at the weekend
Meanwhile, out-of-favour Fred is backing himself to fix Manchester United’s midfield problem.
Last summer’s £52million signing from Shakhtar Donetsk has barely made an impact at Old Trafford and is yet to feature in a squad this season.
Fred only has seven Premier League starts during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign but believes he can force his way into the manager’s plans.
United struggled in midfield during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace and the Brazil international wants a chance to prove his worth.
The 26-year-old is fit and trained at Carrington on Sunday, with club sources insisting he will remain at the club amid links with Serie A side Fiorentina.
Meanwhile, out-of-favour Fred is backing himself to fix Manchester United’s midfield problems
Fred, once trailed by champions Manchester City, is also determined to stay and make his time in England work after positive talks regarding his future last week.
Solskjaer afforded him leave during pre-season to get married before he re-joined the squad in Singapore, playing in the club’s final four friendlies.
Fred has been on the periphery since, however – even though Solskjaer’s options in midfield are limited.
Scott McTominay has started all three games so far, with Paul Pogba stationed in a deeper role. Nemanja Matic has been on the bench, with Andreas Pereira preferred further forward. Solskjaer claimed earlier this month that Fred is ‘going to have a big season’.
Additional reporting: Sami Mokbel
