Big night beckons as Luke Shaw set for Man United return - but bad news for another injured defender
Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw is set to make his first appearance for Manchester United since April in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup clash against Burton Albion at Old Trafford.
Shaw faced an uncertain future at United after failing to impress manager Jose Mourinho last season, with his injury problems not helping the full-back’s cause as he looked to force his way back into the first team plans.
Mourinho publicly questioned Shaw’s fitness record and his big game mentality, in comments that some viewed as humiliating for the 22-year-old defender who moved to United from Southampton for £30m in the summer of 2014.
Yet Mourinho insisted Shaw would get his chance to prove himself once again when he recovered from the ankle injury he sustained in a Premier League game against Swansea almost five months ago.
Now Shaw is set to get his first chance to confirm he is back to full fitness when Mourinho names a much changed side as United begin their defence of the League Cup trophy they won at Wembley last February.
Shaw has been working tirelessly in recent months to ensure his latest comeback from injury is successful, with his presence at the club’s Carrington training HQ ahead of most of United’s first team squad in early June confirming he was keen to get back into peak condition quickly.
“I feel this is my season to prove myself and I am feeling in good shape,” declared Shaw earlier this summer. “In myself I feel confident. I want to show everyone that I believe in myself and show the manager that he can believe in me.”
“I keep myself motivated in different ways, too. The fans especially keep me motivated. They are always sending good messages to me on social media. The players in the dressing room, without them it would be very difficult but they are all superb. They are a great bunch of lads. We all help each other when there are hard times. They want to see me back out on the pitch as much as I do.”
Meanwhile, defender Marcos Rojo is still some way off a first team return, with Mourinho confirming he is ‘a couple of months away’ from first team action despite his return to training last month.
