Skip to content

Luke Shaw unlikely to return for Manchester United this season, says Louis van Gaal

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 22:  Luke Shaw of Manchester United in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Newcastle
Image: Luke Shaw suffered a double leg break against PSV in September

Luke Shaw is unlikely to play for Manchester United again this season, according to manager Louis van Gaal.

Shaw has not played a game for the Red Devils since suffering a double leg break against PSV in the Champions League on September 16.

The 20 year-old has been ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from injury and is set to train outside for the first time on Monday.

However, Van Gaal says the left-back is unlikely to be available for selection before the final game of the season - the FA Cup final of May 21.  

Louis van Gaal
Image: Louis van Gaal hopes to have Wayne Rooney back in full training within two weeks

"Luke Shaw shall start next week the first training sessions on the pitch," said the United boss. "It was always in the gym, on the treadmill, in the swimming pool and so on, but now he can train for the first time with his bodyweight on the pitch, so it is going great for him.

"But also, it shall be very difficult for him to play the final of the FA Cup."

Live Ford Super Sunday

Van Gaal is without a number of key players for Everton's Premier League visit to Old Trafford on Sunday, which will be shown live on Sky Sports 1 HD.

Also See:

Wayne Rooney, Ander Herrera, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Phil Jones and Ashley Young all remain unavailable to face the Toffees.

Wayne Rooney could miss up to six weeks for Manchester United with a knee injury
Image: Wayne Rooney suffered a knee injury against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League

But Van Gaal is hoping to have his captain back in full training within in the next 10 days.

"Wayne Rooney is doing great but you cannot say that he can play next week. It's also a process," said the Dutchman. "He has shown a lot of skills today with the ball on the pitch today, which is very good and very important."

Bastian Schweinsteiger (R) of Germany and his team mates look on
Image: Bastian Schweinsteiger could miss Euro 2016 after suffering a knee injury on international duty with Germany

Meanwhile, Schweinsteiger could miss out on Euro 2016 in France this summer after suffering a knee injury whilst on international duty for Germany last week.

"Schweinsteiger's is a tragic injury because the expectation is not so good for him in respect of the European Championship, but you never know," Van Gaal said.

"He has to work hard for that because he wants to play and the Germany national manager wants him to play, so I hope that he can reach that, but it will be difficult."

Around Sky