August 13, (THEWILL) – Manchester United have confirmed that left-back Luke Shaw will miss the start of the 2024/2025 English Premier League season due to a calf injury sustained during pre-season training.
This setback comes after Shaw had previously been sidelined with a similar issue in February, causing him to miss most of the latter part of the 2023/2024 campaign.
The England international’s return to fitness was brief, as he only managed to participate in the final stages of Euro 2024. Shaw’s absence from United’s pre-season friendlies raised concerns, which have now been addressed by the club’s official statement.
United’s announcement indicated that Shaw is currently undergoing rehabilitation with the aim of returning to action after the first international break of the season. This timeline suggests he will be unavailable for at least the first three EPL matches, including crucial fixtures against Fulham, Brighton and Hove Albion, and Liverpool.
The absence of Shaw presents a fresh challenge for manager Erik ten Hag, who is already without natural deputy Tyrell Malacia until October. In the recent Community Shield match against Manchester City, Ten Hag opted to play centre-back Lisandro Martinez in the left-back position, despite impressive pre-season performances from 17-year-old Harry Amass.
As United prepare for the start of the new season, they will need to find a solution to their left-back dilemma. The team’s depth in this position will be tested, and Ten Hag may need to consider alternative tactical approaches or rely on versatile players to fill the gap left by Shaw’s injury.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
