Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw’s participation in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament is under serious threat due to a recurring injury. Manager Erik ten Hag has cast doubt on his availability for the FA Cup final, putting his Euro dreams in jeopardy.
Shaw’s season has been hampered by injuries, restricting him to just 15 appearances across all competitions. He most recently featured in Manchester United’s narrow victory over Luton Town in February. His return from a latest muscle injury was initially expected for early May, but Ten Hag revealed a recent setback has complicated his recovery.
The Manchester United boss expressed concerns about Shaw’s fitness for the FA Cup final, scheduled for nine days from now. This news is a blow not only for the club but also for England manager Gareth Southgate, who is set to announce his provisional England squad on Tuesday.
Ten Hag Unsure About Shaw Availability For England
According to Talksport, when questioned about the availability of Shaw and Harry Maguire (who has also been sidelined with a muscle complaint), Ten Hag acknowledged that decisions regarding England selection fall outside his scope. However, he did offer a contrasting outlook for the two players’ prospects in the FA Cup final.
“For England I can’t say (if they are available), it’s not up to me,” Ten Hag said. “But for the cup final, we’re working on (it) and I think Harry Maguire has a fair chance that he will be available. We plan (for) him.”
Ten Hag offered a less optimistic outlook for Shaw: “Luke is more complicated. In this moment, let’s say it’s a less chance that he will make it but there is still a very small, reduced chance. He had the setback and now we have to find out how far he is.”
Left-back has been a point of concern for England, and Shaw’s potential absence creates a further dilemma for Southgate. While the expanded 26-man squad for Euro 2024 allows for some risk-taking regarding player fitness, it remains to be seen whether Shaw will be deemed healthy enough to participate.
Positive Developments for Other United Defenders
While Shaw’s situation remains uncertain, there is better news for some of Manchester United’s other defenders ahead of their final Premier League match of the season against Brighton. Both Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof have returned to training, bolstering the defensive options for Ten Hag.
While not offering definitive answers regarding player availability for the Brighton match, Ten Hag confirmed ongoing efforts to get players back on the pitch. He highlighted the return of Lisandro Martinez to training and the progress made by Varane and Lindelof, but stressed the need for further evaluation before confirming their weekend status.
