Soccer

Shaw injury leaves Manchester United stretched

Louis van Gaal has only two central defenders fit as season opener looms

Luke Shaw’s hamstring injury means Manchester United will be without their new left back for at least the first four weeks of the season. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.
Luke Shaw’s hamstring injury means Manchester United will be without their new left back for at least the first four weeks of the season. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire.
Daniel Taylor
Wed Aug 13 2014 - 23:00

Louis van Gaal faces the possibility of going into his first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United with only two fit senior defenders after tests revealed a hamstring strain will rule out the club's new left back, Luke Shaw, by a month.

Shaw is waiting to find out whether the injury might delay the start to his United career even further. The 19-year-old could miss United’s first four games as well as England’s friendly against Norway on September 3rd and the Euro 2016 qualifier in Switzerland on September 8th.

Jonny Evans might also miss United’s game against Swansea on Saturday because of an unspecified injury. Antonio Valencia, a contender for the right wing back role, is also undergoing treatment.

Tyler Blackett played in central defence alongside Phil Jones and Chris Smalling in the friendly against Valencia on Tuesday and another of the club’s younger players, Reece James, was used in the left wing back role.

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With Patrice Evra and Alexander Buttner leaving the club in the summer, Shaw's injury may compel United to try to accelerate a possible deal for Marcos Rojo, having already discussed a €20 million package with Sporting Lisbon for the Argentinian left back.

Wayne Rooney has been named United captain by van Gaal. The manager has been impressed with the striker's approach since taking over at Old Trafford and believes he will give his heart and soul to his new role.

“For me, it’s always very important, the choice of captain,” the Dutchman said in quotes posted on www.manutd.com after Tuesday evening’s 2-1 pre-season friendly win over Valencia.

“Wayne has shown a great attitude towards everything he does. I have been very impressed by his professionalism and his attitude to training and to my philosophy. He is a great inspiration to the younger members of the team and I believe he will put his heart and soul into his captaincy role.” France winger Franck Ribéry has announced his retirement from international duty. Ribéry missed the World Cup after suffering a lower back injury in training shortly before the tournament got under way and has now decided he no longer wants to represent Les Bleus.