Massive injury boost for Manchester United as defender set to return to training

Posted Wednesday, March 30, 2016 by punditarena.com

In a season which has seen Manchester United plagued my countless injury problems, there is some positive news news at last.

The Telegraph are today reporting that long-term absentee Luke Shaw is set to return to training next week as he holds on to the hope that he could play some part in his side’s push for the Champions League places.

Shaw had to be taken off after suffering a leg break at the hands of defender Héctor Moreno in Man United’s 2-1 defeat at PSV Eindhoven last September.

Shaw’s absence has allowed 19-year-old Cameron Borthwick Jackson to come in to the side – and while the young full-back has coped ably, having Shaw back will be a massive boost for Man United’s defence.

Shaw, still only 20 himself, has been blighted by injuries since making a £30million move to Old Trafford from Southampton in the summer of 2014. He has been limited to just 21 Premier League appearances in the 18 months since.

Though he is to return to training, it is touch and go right now to see if he gets his wish and has some part to play in the run-in for this season. He retains hope, but as of this moment it seems more likely that he will not be risked with the intention of unleashing him fully fit after a strong pre-season.

As such, it is nigh-on impossible that he will receive a late call-up from England manager Roy Hodgson for the upcoming European Championships. He began the campaign as Hodgson’s first choice left back – having gone to the World Cup in 2014 – but the injury has curtailed that progress with the national side.

Rather, he will be kept back for the World Cup qualifiers beginning in September, where he will face strong competition from Danny Rose, Leighton Baines and Ryan Bertrand for his spot.

Nonetheless, Shaw’s massive progress in his rehabilitation will be a vital boost for Man United ahead of what will be yet another season of massive transition.