Man Utd injury crisis worsens with Luke Shaw joining summer signing on treatment table

Erik ten Hag has been dealt another blow on the fitness front amid news that Luke Shaw will be ruled out of action just days after it emerged that Mason Mount has been sidelined

Manchester United were injured again and left-back Luke Shaw was expected to be on the bench for an extended period due to muscle problems.

The Red Devils medical team are still assessing the severity of the injury but for now there is hope the England international will be out for weeks rather than months.

This news will hardly please boss Erik ten Hag, who will now have to resort to alternative options. Substitute left-back Tyrell Malacia is struggling with an injury sustained at the end of last season and is unlikely to replace Shaw once he recovers.

As a result, Ten Hag may need to form a makeshift back line for some big games, including the trip to Arsenal Stadium on September 3.

Shaw isn’t the only big name on United’s nursing couch, and £55million Mason Mount is also set to be out of action this summer.

Initial tests have revealed the former Chelsea player will be out for just three weeks and will return shortly after the international break.

Those hopes appear to have been dashed, and fears Mount could be sidelined for six weeks are growing. That would not only mean he misses the trip to the Emirates and the upcoming league game against Nottingham Forest, but also United’s first two Champions League group stage games.

United were already looking for another midfielder but Mount’s injury could increase Ten Hag’s desire to further strengthen the club’s midfield options.

The collapse of Mount could also affect Scott McTominay’s future. The United Academy graduate was due to leave Old Trafford this summer due to interest from clubs like West Ham and Everton but is now free to stay.

Luke Shaw has sustained an injury and will miss then next few weeks at the very least

It has been a fairly underwhelming start to the new league campaign for United, as Ten Hag’s men scraped a 1-0 win over Wolves at home in their first outing before their first away game saw them beaten 2-0 by Tottenham.

In both of those fixtures, United’s midfield has been a glaring problem area. That has been the case with Mount involved, the likelihood of that problem being solved without having the England ace to call upon is incredibly low.

United have one week to make any last minute additions as they aim to stay within touching distance of the leading pack.