Man Utd face a major blow to top-four hopes as Luke Shaw could be out for the season

Manchester United’s small top-four hopes could take another hit with Luke Shaw sitting on the sidelines for an extended period after undergoing surgery on his leg

Luke Shaw could miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery that would be a major blow to him Manchester United’s slim top 4 hopes, according to reports.

The Red Devils continued to lose ground over the weekend with loss to Everton and the loss of their England left-back would further their task. Shaw went under the knife last week to remove metal screws in his leg. His rehab is now expected to last longer than originally planned, which could rule him out of the campaign after an evaluation, reports say The Telegraph.

That would make Alex Telles the only recognized United left-back with seven games left of the season. Shaw hasn’t been in sensational form this season but was still a regular at Old Trafford. The 26-year-old underwent surgery to remove screws from his broken leg, which he sustained in September 2015.

Shaw recently reported some complaints while on international duty and a decision was made to remove them. United’s next game is against Liverpool at Anfield while they have yet to play rivals arsenal and Chelsea. Norwich City, Brighton, crystal palace and Brentford are also on the club’s schedule before the end of the season.

Interim boss Ralf Rangnick said last week: “We had to take him out at half-time [against Leicester] and he has problems with his leg, where he had surgery in 2015. The doctor told me that they decided to remove the metal bolts in his leg – they have to be removed – and that’s what’s happening [on Saturday] and he’ll be out for the next two or three weeks.”

Shaw has also suffered from hamstring problems while he’s had this season Coronavirus which has sidelined him. He has started 26 times throughout the campaign. The full-back’s performances last season saw him start into the Euro 2020 final where he scored the opener.

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However, this tenure, like some of his compatriots, has submerged his form. Rangnick came as a substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ahead of the New Year, but Shaw has publicly made a smack on the environment in Manchester. While in international service, he recently said, “I think everyone needs to feel happy, really. It’s always important to feel wanted.

“I think I always feel that, especially here. I’m not saying I don’t at United but especially here, the way things are, I feel wanted and enjoy my football. A big part of football is having fun.

“Of course it’s hard to enjoy when we lose and we don’t play well at club level. We have to face that and of course it wasn’t good enough this season so it’s hard to enjoy it. We have a lot to improve at club , but I’m here with England so the focus is on that.”