Luke Shaw gets permission to skip PSV clash
Shaw’s season was brought to an abrupt and painful halt two months ago when he broke his right leg in two places following a tackle by Hector Moreno.
The 20-year-old was enjoying his best run of form at United, but the challenge from behind by the PSV defender left his leg bent at a 45-degree angle.
Shaw had an operation in Eindhoven before returning to England where he has since undergone another procedure.
Injured players are often seen watching United games from the stands.
But mindful that seeing United play against PSV tonight could stoke some bad memories, Van Gaal has given Shaw a few days off from his rehabilitation which, the Dutchman admits, is proving to be a frustrating process for the England international.
“I think he is dealing with his injury very good, but now he is a little bit fed up with the daily routine so I give him four days off — also because of PSV,” the United manager said.
“Firstly, he was fed up with the daily routine. And secondly, I thought why he is fed up, maybe it is because of the PSV match and every player has to watch the game from the stadium to support their colleagues.
“I don’t think he will be here, but I don’t know. Maybe he surprises me.”
Van Gaal said after the game at the Philips Stadion that Shaw could be back by March.
But he is now preaching cautious words about the defender’s return date.
“I cannot answer that,” Van Gaal said when asked if Shaw would play again this season.
“You have to be very cautious. With an injury like that it can be going very well but one week it can be going very bad and then he is months behind schedule.
“He has been given four days off. On Friday he has a scan and we will know more about how the injury is going.”
Van Gaal was not happy with Moreno after the match in his homeland.
The former Bayern Munich boss declared Moreno, who played under him at AZ, had made a “very bad tackle” and United officials were unhappy the defender was named man of the match after the 2-1 win in which he scored.
But Van Gaal has since revised his opinion and insists his players will not target Moreno at Old Trafford.
“No, my players are not doing that,” he said. “I am sure of that. It was not his purpose (to injure Shaw).”
For his part, PSV coach Phillip Cocu hopes Moreno will not be booed by United fans tonight.
“I hope not,” the PSV boss said when asked if he thought Moreno would be booed.
“It was a very bad injury. Hopefully Luke Shaw will get back soon.
“He is a fantastic player. The most important thing will be that he is back on his feet shortly, joining the team and playing for Manchester United, but we don’t know what will happen tomorrow in the game.”
Having dropped just two points since the defeat to PSV in their opening group match, United will qualify for the last 16 if they beat PSV at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Marouane Fellaini returned to training after missing the 2-1 win at Watford, but all three have been told they must prove their fitness if they are to start.
“It is not automatic (that Rooney starts),” Van Gaal said. “It is always a decision of the manager.
“Fellaini, Rooney and Martial have to show their fitness and then I have to compare which are the best players to fit in our game plan. That is the same procedure every match.”
Ander Herrera, Phil Jones, Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia are out through injury, but Bastian Schweinsteiger could feature despite missing the open part of yesterday’s training session. Memphis Depay scored on his first league start in eight weeks at Watford, but he will need to do more to convince his manager he deserves to stay in the team long term.
“I am a coach that always demands, not only one match but several matches,” Van Gaal said of the £25m (€35.4m) former PSV forward.
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