Manchester United fans will have to wait a little longer to see Luke Shaw back in action. Manager Erik ten Hag confirmed on Monday that the left-back is still recovering from a calf injury sustained at the start of pre-season training. While Shaw was expected to return after the international break, ten Hag emphasized that a definitive timeline for his comeback remains uncertain.
“First, Luke Shaw, he’s progressing but not ready yet to be selected,” ten Hag told reporters. “Of course, we have a plan in our head when he can be ready but you are always dependent on how the progress will go. You can’t think, you can’t make a suggestion (of a return date) because there are so many factors why a plan can accelerate or slow down.”
However, there’s good news on the injury front for United supporters. Ten Hag confirmed that full-back Noussair Mazraoui and center-back duo Matthijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez are all fit and available for the League Cup clash. The trio was substituted during the second half of United’s 3-0 victory over Southampton on Saturday, leaving fans with a glimmer of concern.
While the return of these key defenders is certainly a positive, the availability of midfielder Manuel Ugarte remains unclear. Ugarte made his United debut as a substitute in the Southampton game, but ten Hag hinted that he is still under consideration for selection. “They are all available (Mazraoui, De Ligt, and Martinez). They are good,” ten Hag said. “(For) Ugarte, you will see tomorrow what the selection will be for this game.”
Unfortunately, United will be without several other key players for the Barnsley match. Victor Lindelof, Tyrell Malacia, Leny Yoro, Mason Mount, and Rasmus Hojlund all missed the Southampton win due to injuries and are still not ready to return. “They are not ready for tomorrow. We will see, our progress will continue,” ten Hag added.
Despite the injury concerns, ten Hag remains optimistic and focused on his team’s goal of winning trophies. He highlighted the importance of squad rotation, especially with the busy schedule ahead. “I have many players available and we can make a selection from game to game, definitely we have to rotate because we have to cover so many games. It’s not only about the starting XI. A nice headache,” he said.
With a mix of returning players and ongoing injury concerns, Manchester United’s League Cup match against Barnsley promises to be an intriguing one. Fans will be eager to see how ten Hag manages his squad and the team’s overall performance as they look to kick off the season strong.
