Luke Shaw Struggles For Fitness Before Crucial FA Cup Final

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is battling to be fit for the crucial FA Cup final against Manchester City. Manager Erik ten Hag disclosed that Shaw's injury is more complex than initially thought, making his chances of playing low. However, ten Hag has not completely ruled out the England international.

Ten Hag expressed more optimism about Harry Maguire's availability, although the centre-back is also only rated as having a fair chance of being fit for the match against Pep Guardiola's team at Wembley on May 25. Before the final, United will conclude their Premier League season with an away match against Brighton on Sunday.

Despite a disappointing campaign, United still have two potential routes to qualify for European competitions next season. Ten Hag's side currently sits eighth in the table, level on 57 points with seventh-placed Newcastle United, who will visit Brentford on the final day. If United win the FA Cup, they will secure a spot in the Europa League next season. Otherwise, they must finish seventh in the league to qualify for the Europa Conference League, necessitating a better result than Newcastle on the final day.

Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 17, 2024

Shaw has been limited to 15 appearances for United across all competitions this season. He was expected to return before the end of the campaign but suffered a muscle problem in February during an away win over Luton Town. Ten Hag provided updates on Shaw and Maguire ahead of United's last two games of the season, highlighting their potential inclusion in England's squad for Euro 2024 this summer.

"For England, I can't say; it's not up to me," ten Hag stated. "But for the cup final, we're working on it. Harry Maguire has a fair chance of being available. Luke's situation is more complicated; at this moment, there's a low chance he will make it. But there is still a very small, reduced chance."

In addition to giving Maguire a chance of making the final, ten Hag confirmed that defenders Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof have returned to training, providing a boost ahead of the clash with Manchester City. Varane is set to leave Manchester United at the end of the season, with several other players expected to follow him out. However, ten Hag emphasized that his squad must remain focused amid speculation over transfer activity.

"All these issues will only distract us," he said. "We know what we are building on, and we have to keep this process going."

Shaw, 28, played in last season's FA Cup final defeat to City and was also a runner-up at Euro 2020, having scored in England's eventual defeat on penalties to Italy.