Luke Shaw, the left defender for Manchester United, is expected to be sidelined for a prolonged amount of time due to a muscular problem.

Though the Red Devils’ medical staff is currently evaluating the extent of the injury, the early projections indicate that the England international will only be sidelined for a few weeks as opposed to several months. Erik ten Hag, the employer, is not likely to have been pleased with the news, so he will now need to use his alternative choices.

Tyrell Malacia, the deputy left-back, is now recovering from a blow he took at the conclusion of last season and is unlikely to be ready to cover for Shaw while he recovers. Ten Hag might therefore be forced to put together an impromptu backline for some crucial matches, such as the away match against Big Six opponents Arsenal on September 3.

Mason Mount, who cost United £55 million in the summer, is another well-known player who is presently sidelined with an injury. Initial evaluations suggested that the former Chelsea player would just need three weeks off before returning soon after the international break.

Those aspirations seem to have been crushed, as there is growing worry that Mount may be sidelined for up to six weeks. He would miss not just the trip to the Emirates and a subsequent league match against Nottingham Forest, but also United’s first two group stage matches in the Champions League.

Although Mount’s injury may heighten Ten Hag’s desire to further strengthen the team’s options in the middle of the pitch, United were already looking for another midfielder.

The future of Scott McTominay could be impacted by Mount’s inactivity. The United academy alumnus was supposed to leave Old Trafford this summer due to interest from teams like West Ham and Everton, but he may now decide to stay.

Luke Shaw is injured and will be out for at least the next few weeks

United’s start to the new league season hasn’t exactly been stellar; after eking out a 1-0 victory over Wolves at home in their opening game, they were defeated 2-0 by Tottenham on the road.United’s midfield has been an obvious weakness in both of those games. The possibility of that problem being solved without having the England ace to call upon has been the case when Mount has been engaged.United have one week to add any last-minute players as they try to keep pace with the front-running group.