Shaw to see specialist after new injury setback

Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw will see a specialist to assess the severity of ligament damage sustained in his foot.

This was supposed to be a season to cherish for the 21-year-old after recovering from a double leg break, yet it has been frequently punctuated by frustration.

Shaw had worked his way back into Jose Mourinho’s thoughts in recent weeks, only to be forced off early in United’s home draw against Swansea on Sunday.

The United boss said it must have been a “big injury” to go off so early and it is understood the left-back will see a specialist after scans on Monday showed ligament damage in his left foot.

Shaw’s setback is a big blow on both individual and collective levels as the season comes to a head.

The United left-back has had to deal with issues related to his long injury lay-off this term and has struggled for game time under Mourinho.

The Portuguese has publicly questioned the England international on several occasions, but a meeting between the pair last month led to a surprise first-team return.

Sunday’s match against Swansea was Shaw’s fourth United appearance of April, but came to an end after just nine minutes.

The left-back joins Mourinho’s injury list at a crucial time in the campaign as United look to finish in the top four and win the Europa League.

Eric Bailly was also forced off against Swansea and Mourinho’s Reds are still reeling from Marcos Rojo’s seasonending knee injury.

Fellow defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have yet to return from injuries sustained on England duty, while Tim Fosu-Mensah has an apparent shoulder injury.

Midfielders Juan Mata and Paul Pogba could return from injury in tomorrow’s Europa League semi-final first leg at Celta Vigo, but top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic will not play for United again this season.

The Swedish striker says he feels “stronger” following surgery in the US to repair cruciate ligament damage to his knee.

The 35-year-old Sweden forward hobbled out of United’s Europa League quarter-final win over Anderlecht on April 20, with his future uncertain as he faced a lengthy spell of rehabilitation.

Ibrahimovic, whose deal with United runs out at the end of the current season, posted a photo on his official Instagram account of his scarred knee post operation, with the accompanying message: “Fixed, done and stronger. Once again thank you for the support. We will enjoy my game togheter (sic) soon”

Ibrahimovic is expected to make a full recovery and, according to his agent, had not suffered a career-ending injury.

Luke Shaw lasted only nine minutes of United’s clash with Swansea due to ligament damage in his left foot.