Luke Shaw may miss the beginning of the 2017-18 season after sustaining a foot ligament injury during Manchester United's 1-1 draw with Swansea City on Sunday. A scan on Tuesday revealed serious damage to the left-back's foot, with sources indicating Shaw fears he may not recover until after the start of the new campaign.
Shaw was forced off after just nine minutes at Old Trafford, appearing in significant pain. Manager José Mourinho commented after the match: 'Luke Shaw’s must be a big injury because to leave the pitch after 10 minutes I am expecting a very big injury.'
The injury is a severe blow for the 21-year-old, marking his second serious problem in two years. In September 2015, he suffered a double leg break during a Champions League loss at PSV Eindhoven. Shaw only fully recovered from that setback this season, which has been difficult under Mourinho's management.
Mourinho has frequently criticised Shaw, starting after a 3-1 defeat at Watford in September. He has urged Shaw to ensure his 'football brain and professional brain' match his talent and has dropped him from match-day squads on several occasions. This led Shaw to consider his future at the club, though he publicly vowed to prove Mourinho wrong and fought his way back into contention.
Shaw's absence adds to United's injury woes, with eight players unavailable for Thursday's Europa League semi-final first leg against Celta Vigo.
