Erik ten Hag has confirmed Manchester United are “quite hopeful” Luke Shaw will return to the squad for Sunday’s trip to Everton.
The England defender has been missing since August after suffering a muscle injury, limiting him to only two appearances all season but returned to training this week.
In his absence, United have had to improvise at left-back. Sergio Reguilon was brought in on loan from Tottenham during the dying embers of the summer transfer window but has struggled for fitness himself.
Diogo Dalot and Sofyan Amrabat have had to deputise too, so Shaw’s return will be a welcome boost for a side who headed into the international break as one of the Premier League’s form teams.
Shaw was a key component of what was a successful first season in charge for Ten Hag. The 28-year-old made 47 appearances across all competitions as United qualified for the Champions League and lifted the Carabao Cup.
“Luke Shaw has been training for two weeks with the team," said the United boss.
“We are quite hopeful that he will return to the squad for Sunday’s game."
Goalkeeper Andre Onana also hopes to feature for the journey to Goodison Park. The Cameroon international suffered a groin injury while away on international duty and duly flew back to Manchester.
He is expected to be passed fit for Sunday’s game but understudy Altay Bayindir is ready to deputise if that is not the case.
United are without Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Jonny Evans and Tyrell Malaica, while there are also doubts over Rasmus Hojlund and Christian Eriksen after they pulled out of the Denmark squad over the international break.
It is expected to be a white-hot atmosphere inside Goodison on Sunday with Everton playing their first game since being deducted ten points by the Premier League for breaching financial fair play rules.
