Luke Shaw targets Anfield return on 22 November after seven games out injured
Luke Shaw is reported to be aiming for a comeback at Liverpool after seven matches out with a muscle injury. The club has set no return date, but a fit Shaw alongside the returning Patrick Dorgu would give United a specialist left-back again.
Luke Shaw is aiming to return from his muscle injury at Anfield after the November international break, according to Manutdnews. The club has not confirmed a return date. The only on-record update has come from Michael Carrick. He ruled Shaw out before the break, leaving his availability for Liverpool an open question.
Shaw’s absence began in the draw with ten-man Tottenham at Old Trafford. He stayed on until very late, when Ayden Heaven replaced him. He was later reported limping as he left the ground. It is his second injury of the season. An earlier muscle problem had already kept him out for a couple of weeks.
The setback is a sharp contrast with last season. Shaw played in all 38 of United’s league games as the club finished third and returned to the Champions League.
Stand-in left-backs have played behind a leaking defence
Without Shaw, Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui and Heaven have had to cover on the left. Dorgu has also been used there. The defence as a whole has struggled. Sky Sports says United have now conceded more goals in all competitions than any other side in Europe’s major leagues.
The Villa match was a hard one for Dalot. He gave away the penalty that John McGinn scored. The crowd cheered loudly when he was later taken off.
The league position adds to the pressure. United have gone eight league games without a win. Their only league victory came in August.
Dorgu’s comeback gives United a specialist option again
Dorgu has now recovered from his own setback. He injured a hamstring while playing for Denmark in September. Before the Roma game, he trained with the group for the first time since the injury. Carrick still left him out of that fixture.
Against Villa, Dorgu came on as a substitute. Supporters voted him Player of the Match.
A fit Shaw would add a second option on the left. With him back alongside Dorgu, United would have a specialist left-back again.
The next test comes straight after the break. United’s next fixture is the Premier League game away to Liverpool. After that, they travel to Sporting in Lisbon in the Champions League.
