Darren Fletcher has provided an update on Luke Shaw after he missed Manchester United’s FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton.
United will almost actually go trophy-less for a second successive season after crashing out of the cup at the primary hurdle on Sunday.
Goals from Brajan Gruda and former Red Devil Danny Welbeck put the Seagulls on top of things within the all-Premier League clash at Old Trafford, with the sacking of Ruben Amorim last week not sparking a turnaround in form.
Benjamin Sesko pulled a goal back late on however it was too little too late, with teen Shea Lacey sent off in the ultimate couple of minutes to cap off one other miserable day for United.
Interim manager Fletcher named as strong a starting XI as he could, with several key players yet to return from injury or AFCON, but there was one surprise absentee from the matchday squad: Shaw.
The defender had began all but certainly one of United’s games to this point this season, missing only the humiliating Carabao Cup defeat to Grimbsy Town in August as Amorim gave him a rest.
The absence of such an experienced player comes at a difficult time, with United recovering from yet one more managerial change and large Premier League games against Manchester City and Arsenal up next.
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It was reported ahead of kick-off against Brighton that Shaw’s absence was not injury related nonetheless, with the 30-year-old dropped and resting after starting 4 games in 16 days.
Fletcher has confirmed this, telling MUTV that the choice was made: ‘Mainly since the players have had a busy schedule, there’s been quite a lot of games, among the players’ loads have gone, , really high.
‘Skeleton squad with injuries, players at AFCON, so I felt it was essential that those players, especially Luke and Case [Casemiro], played quite a bit in minutes.
‘So just attempting to freshen them up, keep them right, don’t wish to risk any more injuries, after which also give opportunities to another players.’
Shaw should subsequently be available for the Manchester derby next Saturday, however it stays to be seen whether he or Patrick Dorgu will start.
More to follow…
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