Man United boss Louis van Gaal: Luke Shaw's recovery battle is mental as much as physical

Luke Shaw suffered a double leg break

LOUIS VAN GAAL admits Luke Shaw faces a mental battle as much as a physical one to return from his double leg break.

 

But after speaking to Shaw on the phone in his Eindhoven hospital bed, Van Gaal is encouraged that Manchester United's left back is already showing positive signs that he can overcome an injury that is set to keep him out of the rest of the season.

Van Gaal said: “I called him last night. He sounds very strong, which was amazing for me – a big surprise. It is a good signal, but he knows he has long way to go and it is not easy.

“His family is there, we have sent people with him and he will come back when he is prepared. Maybe tomorrow.

 

“He will have a long period of rehabilitation and he has a long way to go. It is not only physical, but mental. For us it is a big loss, as a team. I said in the summer that this would be Luke Shaw's season but not it is finished early.

“He started so well, built up a left wing partnership with Memphis Depay but we have to start developing a new partnership there and it is not easy.

“We have to cope with it, but it is a big loss. Shaw was the first choice left back and it is very difficult to replace him when he is in such a good shape."

 

Van Gaal said he has three candidates to take the vacant left back slot - Daley Blind, who has been playing centre back this season, Marcos Rojo, who made his first appearance of the season as a substitute following Shaw's injury on Tuesday, and winger Ashley Young.

He added: “In Blind, Rojo and Young, we have good replacements."

A boost for United as they try to come to terms with Shaw's absence is that skipper Wayne Rooney is back after a two game lay-off with a hamstring strain.

“He is back, it was a minor injury and we didn’t want to take risks, but he has had training and treatment and I think he can start."