Luke Shaw seen limping

Luke Shaw has become a consistent starter in Manchester United’s squad over the course of both last season and this current one.

The former England international was crucial last season for the club, playing 38 times as the side secured Champions League football for this season.

This season, the 31-year-old has been imperative once again with him playing in all five of Manchester United’s Premier League games, providing one assist.

That includes last night’s fixture against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford, where he started at left-back before coming off in the 89th minute.

Following the game, however, footage of Luke Shaw limping has surfaced with it sparking rumours that the left-back could be injured.

No official statement on the situation from Manchester United has come yet but, with a crucial Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid to come on Tuesday, Shaw’s involvement is imperative.

Should the left-back be injured, Michael Carrick could be forced to look at alternative options for Tuesday’s game including Diogo Dalot or Noussair Mazraoui.

The possibility of Shaw being injured points towards a wider issue, though: Manchester United’s lack of recruitment in the left-back position.

With an overhaul of the defence rumoured to be planned for next summer, it is expected that the club will sign a new left-back within the next year.

United did look at left-backs throughout the summer transfer window, however, including Lewis Hall and Jorge Salinas.

The former (Hall) went onto sign a new contract with Newcastle United, making any pursuit naturally harder, whilst the latter lacked Premier League experience, arguably making a move risky.

For now, Manchester United will be hoping that Shaw’s apparent discomfort is nothing more serious, particularly with a packed schedule coming up.

His experience and consistency have made him a key figure in Carrick’s side, and losing him would leave the manager with another selection headache to handle.

Beyond Tuesday’s trip to Madrid, the situation also stresses United’s need to recruit at left-back. The winter transfer window will give the club an opportunity to address that, but it remains unclear whether they truly will.