Van Gaal's injury update on Rooney & Shaw
Louis van Gaal admits Luke Shaw's serious injury is major blow for the player and his managerial plans, although the Manchester United boss is boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney for this Sunday’s trip to Southampton in the Barclays Premier League.
Shaw suffered a double fracture of the right leg following a heavy challenge with PSV Eindhoven’s Hector Moreno during the first half of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League defeat in the Netherlands, where the 20-year-old left-back is currently recovering from an operation on the serious injury.
Rooney picked up a minor problem ahead of last weekend’s 3-1 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford and was subsequently ruled out of the European trip to Eindhoven, although the captain is now fit enough for selection. Phil Jones is also training with the group following a mild case of thrombosis.
Speaking to MUTV on Friday, van Gaal was asked to provide an update on Shaw. "I have to admit he was strong and firm," the boss explained. "It was different to the day before, so I was happy with that. But, of course, he knows that it is a long way to go for him. The operation was a good operation but nearly all the operations are always good. We have to wait and see how long it takes.
“My speaking about the subject gives him spirit. All the players, all of his colleagues, have called him and that’s maybe not good [if he needs to rest]. I texted him to say I’d call him later because rest is also important for the recovery. Of course, we have a fantastic doctor and medical department. “We sent people to the Netherlands to take care of the travelling when he’s coming back. We have to take care of that and also of his family because his family is there. That is also great support for him. The main thing is how the development of the rehabilitation shall go.”
Quizzed on United's defensive cover for Shaw, the boss continued: "It’s a great loss. I have said in advance of this season already that it shall be the season of Luke Shaw. He had started fantastically and everybody had seen that. It is a great miss, a great loss.
"You have to build up again a combination with the player in front of him. Memphis and Shaw were a very good combination and now you have to build up a new combination. You have to start again and that is difficult. It’s also difficult for the player who has to replace him."
Moving onto United's other injury concerns, Rooney and Jones, van Gaal had a more positive message to convey and revealed his captain is available for selection at St Mary's this weekend.
"Wayne is fit to play," the manager revealed. "He’s only had one week out. It was because we weren’t taking any risks with him. Phil Jones has come back and trained with the group for the first time. He’s not match fit but he’s fit to train. Only Luke Shaw is injured."
