Manchester United left back Luke Shaw is bidding to prove his fitness ahead of this weekend’s derby clash with Manchester City.
The talented youngster, who has started all three of United’s matches so far this campaign, pulled out of the England squad ahead of their trip to Slovakia after complaining of an ache in the same leg he broke last year.
England boss Sam Allardyce stated that Shaw’s absence was more of a precautionary method but could not say whether it would affect his involvement in the highly anticipated derby on Saturday.
The 21-year-old missed nearly the entire season in United’s last campaign after suffering a broken leg against PSV Eindhoven, but has made a full recovery and looked impressive in United’s recent matches surging down the left hand side.
There is no doubt that Shaw is currently Jose Mourinho’s number one left back, but understandably the defender will not be risked if he does not feel he is completely fit, particularly against a relentless City attack that have been scoring at will in recent games.
Who could fill in?
If Shaw is unable to play then Mourinho has other options at his disposal who can fill in, but undoubtedly if the Englishman does miss out then they will lose a real outlet on the left.
Despite being linked with a move away from Old Trafford, Marcos Rojo is Shaw’s obvious replacement which would then enable Daley Blind and Eric Bailly to continue their impressive partnership in central defence.
But if Mourinho does not wish to hand Rojo his season debut then Blind may be switched to full back with Chris Smalling coming in to partner Bailly in the middle.
The red devils will of course hope that Shaw does recover in time to add more consistency to United’s back four, but whatever the outcome on Shaw’s leg problem United will be in for a tough afternoon as the blues come to Old Trafford for the first time under new manager Pep Guardiola.