Manchester United lost Mason Mount to an injury earlier this week and now, left-back Luke Shaw has also picked up a knock, as per the club’s official report.
The left-back has sustained a muscle injury and according to the initial reports he was supposed to be out for a few weeks. However, as per a fresh report in the MEN, Luke Shaw could be sidelined for around two months.
This is a major blow for Man United because Ten Hag’s other left-back Tyrell Malacia is also recovering from an injury and he is not expected to be available for Saturday’s game.
As things stand, both Shaw and Malacia are ruled out for the Nottingham Forest game this weekend and because the club have just allowed Brandon Williams to join Ipswich Town on a loan spell, Ten Hag will have to play a defender out of position this weekend.
Diogo Dalot has previously played as a left-back and unless Malacia makes a timely then the Portugal international will have to play on the left-hand side of defence while Aaron Wan-Bissaka will play on the right.
The Nottingham Forest game should not be too big a concern for the Manchester United manager but after this weekend, United will head to London to face Arsenal and the absence of a genuine left-back will be a disaster for Ten Hag.
Tyrell Malacia’s injury is not serious so he should be back in training before the Arsenal game but the injury to Luke Shaw is a major setback. Shaw was one of the consistent performers for Man United last season and this season too, he’s made a stable start so if he is missing for two months then Ten Hag has to devise a Plan B.
The transfer window is still open so there’s a possibility Man United will go out in the market and sign a new left-back but right now, ETH’s demand is a central midfielder and we think the United management will not want to spend money on anyone other than a midfielder. The club knows that signing a world-class midfielder will cost them upwards of £60-65 million and after Mount’s injury a new central midfielder is the need of the hour.
Manchester United suffered a 2-0 loss to Tottenham last weekend so they will be eager to bounce back when Nottingham Forest come to Old Trafford on Saturday.
