Man Utd star takes significant step towards ending injury hell | OneFootball

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has returned to first-team training and is closing in on a return to full fitness having been unavailable for the majority of the last nine months.

The England international featured for his country during their run to the Euro 2024 final over the summer, eventually starting in the defeat to Spain having appeared as a substitute in knockout games against Switzerland and the Netherlands.

However, he has not played for United since February, when he suffered a hamstring injury in a Premier League clash with Luton Town. After his international excursions, the former Southampton star then picked up a calf problem in pre-season.

There was hope Shaw would return after the first international break of the 2024/25 campaign. While that didn't materialise, the 29-year-old is now expected to be available after this month's national team fixtures, when Ruben Amorim will have taken over from interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy as United's new head coach following the departure of Erik ten Hag.

Shaw hasn't played for United since February / Alex Livesey - Danehouse/GettyImages

Van Nistelrooy had confirmed Shaw was doing "pitch work and progressing" before United's 2-0 Europa League victory over PAOK on Thursday night.

Shaw's absence has been one part of a lengthy struggle with injuries for United, with former boss Ten Hag often hamstrung for options in defence as performances and results dropped towards the end of his reign.

His lack of availability was made worse by understudy Tyrell Malacia's struggles for fitness. The Netherlands international hasn't played for his club since May 2023 due to a knee injury but has made good progress in recent weeks and could be available again after the November international break.

However, their worries haven't subsided completely, with Amad Diallo the latest player to suffer a knock. The winger, who scored twice on Thursday evening, suffered an ankle blow and is now a doubt to face Leicester City on Sunday.