Erik ten Hag given huge Man Utd injury boost as promising sign spotted at Carrington
A key Manchester United man is working his way back to fitness after a long spell out.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag may not be far away from welcoming Luke Shaw back to the matchday fold.
Shaw has not made a single competitive appearance for the Red Devils since February, despite playing for England in the Euro 2024 final. The left-back picked up a calf problem in pre-season and has missed all eight Premier League games so far.
Ten Hag has been crying out for a natural left-sided defender, with back-up option Tyrell Malacia also stuck on the sidelines. Noussair Mazraoui, Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez have all been forced to deputise at various points this season.
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But brighter times could be on the horizon. In a major boost for the Red Devils, Shaw has been spotted back out on the grass at Carrington for the first time since his calf injury took hold.
The 29-year-old had been painstakingly working away behind the scenes, and the move outdoors suggests he is not far from making a full recovery. Ten Hag has already spoken about the need to take things slowly with Shaw and Malacia, who have played just 12 Premier League games between them since the start of last campaign.
"They are back but we can't force their return," he explained. "We have to do it very carefully because we don't want a return and then they quickly drop out. So we do it very carefully, but of course, we hope to do it as soon as possible because this team needs a left full-back, that's for sure."
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Injury problems have complicated Ten Hag's task of salvaging United's rocky start to the season. Sack rumours surrounded the Dutchman during the most recent international break but INEOS decided to give him more time.
He repaid that faith with a hard-fought win at home to Brentford on Saturday, moving the Red Devils up to 12th in the table. A trip to a struggling West Ham side awaits this weekend, after a Europa League meeting with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce.
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Though Shaw and Malacia are nearing their returns, more patient waiting is required for Leny Yoro. The £52million summer signing is yet to pull on the red shirt in a competitive setting after a pre-season injury, and he is expected back at some point next month.
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire are also ruled out of the next few games, while little is known about the condition of Casemiro or Mason Mount, who are both believed to be nursing minor issues of their own.
