Shaw out for rest of season but Pogba returns for Europa League semi
Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw will miss the rest of the season with a foot injury, manager Jose Mourinho has announced.
Having returned from a double leg break in the summer, the 21-year-old has endured a frustrating comeback campaign.
Shaw has struggled for game time, although the England international had managed to force his way back into Mourinho’s plans in recent weeks. However, the United boss has confirmed Sunday’s start against Swansea was his 19th and final appearance of the season, having been forced off after just nine minutes.
It is understood the left-back was due to see a specialist after scans showed ligament damage in his left foot, which Mourinho says will bring his campaign to a premature end. “Luke Shaw is injured and it is an important injury obviously,” Mourinho said ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg at Celta Vigo. “But we are still waiting for one more medical opinion for the medical department to decide what to do. But it doesn’t matter what, he is out for the season. That is confirmed.”
Shaw joins Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo and Tim Fosu-mensah on the sidelines, although Paul Pogba, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones return to the fold in Spain.
Eric Bailly is “ready to play” after being forced off with a muscle problem against swansea, while Juan Mata is avail a- ble to face Celta after returning to the bench on Sunday following a groin injury.
Neither Smalling nor Jones have featured for United since picking up knee and toe injuries respectively on England duty in mid-march.
Mourinho had been faced with the prospect of having to either play Michael Carrick in the centre of defence or teenagerax el tu anzebe.bu tit now looks as though he will have more options at his disposal, while Pogba’s return after missing the last two matches is more welcome news.