Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has been described as “confident” that he will be in good time to play in the club’s Premier League opener against Leeds at Old Trafford on August 14.
Shaw became one of United’s best players last season but played with a wristband at Euro 2020 as a result of a ligament injury before the tournament. He is also believed to have played with broken ribs during the knockout stages and there has been concern about his condition.
Shaw reports for training during the season in early August / Visionhaus / Getty Images
Shaw has not yet resumed training after playing for England in the Euro 2020 final on July 11 and is expected to report for duty alongside his international colleagues next week.
Manchester Evening News reports that United staff have not yet assessed the 26-year-old’s injuries. However, it is said that Shaw himself is “confident” that he will be able to start when Leeds visit Old Trafford in just two and a half weeks.
Shaw and his colleagues in England – including Harry Maguire and newcomer Jadon Sancho, will have two weeks to prepare for Leeds. United have a friendly against Preston on Saturday which they will not be in before a training camp in Scotland next week.
There will be a final friendly in the summer against Everton at Old Trafford on August 7, a week before the start of the season, which will be an important opportunity for Shaw, Maguire and Sancho to build match sharpness. A decision has not yet been made on Marcus Rashford’s shoulder surgery.
The importance of Shaw’s fitness in time for the start of the season increased this week after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær confirmed that his ankle was injured by Alex Telles during training before the season is worse than first feared and will exclude him until September.
Alex Telles has an ankle injury and will be out until September / Marc Atkins / Getty Images
That means Telles will not be available for United’s first three seasons against Leeds, Southampton and Wolves, with Brandon Williams the only other recognized left-back.
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