"This is not funny anymore", "We can’t do this again": Manchester United fans react as 29-year-old star picks up injury
Manchester United have announced that their first-choice left-back, Luke Shaw, will miss the start of the season. There was speculation surrounding the Englishman after he was not seen in training since he reported back to training this Monday, August 12.
The full-back is out with a calf injury and will miss the opening games of the Premier League. Manchester United revealed the extent of Shaw's injury in a statement on the website, which read:
"Luke Shaw will miss the opening games of the Premier League season due to a calf injury sustained at the start of pre-season training. He is working hard on his rehabilitation with a view to being available after the first international break."
Shaw has not donned the Man Utd red ever since he hobbled off after suffering an injury against Luton Town in February. He, however, regained fitness to represent his national team at the recently concluded Euros, where Gareth Southgate's side reached the final, eventually losing to Spain.
The 29-year-old was not part of Manchester United's Community Shield matchday squad where Erik ten Hag's side were beaten on penalties by Manchester City.
The club posted the update on their social media accounts:
Manchester United supporters thronged in numbers to react to the news of the full-back suffering yet another injury.
"Hmmmm this is not funny anymore, a user wrote.
"We can't do this again this season," a fan wrote.
"What year am I in?? This could be a tweet from 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020," wrote a user.
"The never ending story...😩 Have a speedy recovery Luke, a fan wrote.
One user mentioned that it is time that the club cut its cord with the Englishman.
"While we support him and his rehabilitation, we should be planning to move on from him totally. It's been 10 years and couldn't boast of 60% appearances. Time to move on," the post said.
"I’m afraid it’s time to let him go," another user, @AdebayoOnGod, shared his thoughts.
Manchester United are going through an injury crisis ahead of the start of the new season
Erik ten Hag, Manchester United's manager who recently signed a contract extension, faces a tough start to the Premier League season after seeing yet another of his senior players suffer an injury.
Shaw joins new signing Leny Yoro, forward Rasmus Hojlund, fellow left-back Tyrell Malacia, and former captain Harry Maguire on the treatment table. After the pre-season friendly against Liverpool, Ten Hag revealed that the club is managing the minutes of defenders Jonny Evans and Victor Lindelof due to illness and a precautionary measure, respectively.
In Shaw's absence, Manchester United started with their only recognized fit full-back, Diogo Dalot, on the right with centre-back Lisandro Martinez filling in at left-back in the Community Shield. Despite injury concerns, they took the lead against City, losing to the reigning Premier League champions on penalties.
Ten Hag's men will kick off the new season on Friday, August 16, as they take on Fulham in the Premier League curtain raiser at Old Trafford.