Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is reportedly set to sit out the club’s Champions League clash against Sabah FK on Thursday, with the England international expected to be rested ahead of Sunday’s Manchester derby.
Luke Shaw is set to miss Manchester United’s upcoming Champions League fixture against Sabah FK, according to reports, after the defender was absent from the club’s final training session before the match.
United are preparing for their European opener against Sabah on Thursday, September 10, but Shaw is not expected to feature as the club manages his workload during a busy period of the season.
Shaw Misses Final Training Session
The 31-year-old left-back was reportedly not involved in Manchester United’s final training session ahead of the Sabah fixture.
The development has raised questions over Shaw’s fitness, particularly after he featured in United’s recent Premier League meeting with Everton. However, current reports suggest that there is no indication of a serious new injury.
Shaw played against Everton on Sunday and remained on the pitch until the 91st minute before being substituted. His absence from training could therefore be part of a precautionary decision by the coaching staff rather than a reaction to a significant fitness problem.
With another important fixture coming just days later, United are believed to be taking a cautious approach with the experienced defender.
Manchester Derby Could Be a Factor
One of the major reasons behind Shaw’s expected absence could be Manchester United’s Premier League meeting with Manchester City on Sunday.
The derby represents a significantly demanding fixture, and United may prefer to ensure Shaw is fully fit and available for that contest rather than risk overworking him against Sabah.
Managing player workloads has become increasingly important during congested periods of the football calendar. For Shaw, who has experienced injury problems during his Manchester United career, careful management could help prevent another setback.
His potential absence against Sabah would therefore appear to be more about rotation and precaution than a major concern over his condition.
Who Could Replace Shaw?
If Shaw is left out of the starting XI, Manchester United have several options available to cover the left-back position.
Noussair Mazraoui could be deployed on the left side of the defence, while Patrick Dorgu is another natural option capable of operating in the position.
The decision will ultimately depend on the manager’s tactical plans and how much rotation United want to make for their Champions League opener.
Given the quality of opposition and the importance of the Manchester derby that follows, the club could use the Sabah match as an opportunity to rotate selected players.
Shaw Remains in United’s European Squad
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his involvement against Sabah, Shaw remains part of Manchester United’s Champions League squad.
His inclusion means there is no suggestion that he has been excluded from European competition. Instead, his expected absence appears to be specific to Thursday’s fixture.
United will be hoping that the decision allows Shaw to recover fully and return to contention for the weekend’s derby.
For now, supporters will be watching closely for further updates from the club and confirmation of the starting lineup.
What This Means for Manchester United
Shaw’s absence would give United an opportunity to rotate their defensive options while protecting one of their experienced players ahead of a crucial Premier League fixture.
The key issue will be whether Shaw is fit enough to return for Sunday’s Manchester derby. If there are no complications, United will likely view his rest against Sabah as a precautionary measure.
Manchester United face Sabah FK on Thursday, with Shaw expected to sit out the Champions League fixture as the club manages his workload ahead of the Manchester derby.