Manchester United’s 2-1 Champions League defeat away to PSV Eindhoven was compounded by Luke Shaw’s awful double leg fracture.
Shaw’s trademark rampaging run into the PSV penalty area was halted by a brutal tackle from Mexican defender Hector Moreno.
United’s left back stayed down after Moreno’s tackle in the 15th minute and the former Southampton man was given treatment for ten minutes whilst receiving oxygen.
“It is awful. It was a very bad tackle. He had the oxygen mask on and was crying in the dressing room,” said manager Louis van Gaal.
PSV defender Moreno sent his “strength” to the left-back and wished him a “fast recovery”.
The 27-year-old, who broke his leg during last year’s World Cup, added: “I’ve been through this before and I know how it feels.”
Shaw has been in impressive form this season bouncing back after a troublesome debut season last year which was stifled by injuries and resulted in him being restricted to 20 appearances.
Thank you everyone for your messages , words can’t describe how gutted I am , my road to recovery starts now, I will come back stronger.
— Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) September 15, 2015
The England left back was keen to impress Van Gaal in pre-season and took a United fitness coach with him on his holiday to Dubai. Shaw and Adnan Januzaj contributed to the fitness coach’s payments for flights and endured four fitness sessions a day in a bid to hit the ground running.
Shaw reaped the rewards and started the season in phenomenal form, his early season form highlighted the Red Devils willingness to fork out £31million to Southampton for the young star last June.
Before the start of the campaign Van Gaal said: “I think that this will be the season of Luke Shaw. That I believe.”
Shaw’s campaign has been cut short and due to the severity of his injury, his participation in the forthcoming Euro 2016 Championship has been heavily jeopardised.
Van Gaal however was trying to stay positive and remained hopeful that Shaw could return this season.
“I’m not a doctor so I cannot say, but when you have a double fracture it is four to six months.
“But you can never say that in advance. He won’t play in the group stage, I don’t think. I hope he will play again this season.”
With David De Gea returning in goal against Liverpool, Van Gaal seemed set on a settled back five.
Shaw’s horror injury could see United’s backline require a significant reshuffle, after conjuring up a strong understanding with Chris Smalling, Daley Blind may have to return to his favoured left back role.
Marcos Rojo made his first appearance of the season after coming on to replace Shaw in Tuesday’s defeat.
The three-times European champions had looked solid at the back this season but after losing arguably their best performer so far this season, Van Gaal’s backline has yet again become disrupted.
Main image courtesy of Givemesport via YouTube, with thanks.
