Manchester United have reportedly been handed a further blow regarding the fitness of Luke Shaw.

When available, the 28-year-old is regarded as a certain starter by Erik ten Hag, most frequently at left-back but occasionally in the centre of the backline.

Having featured on 47 occasions during 202-23, Ten Hag would have been delighted to be able to select the England international on a regular basis.

In sharp contrast, though, Shaw has been restricted to 12 starts in the Premier League this season, a consequence of injury.

A thigh issue kept Shaw sidelined between August 25 and November 26, before he returned to make six appearances in succession in the top flight.

Although another enforced absence ensued for the following three games, Shaw has started each of United's four Premier League fixtures throughout February.

However, against Aston Villa and Luton Town respectively, Shaw has been withdrawn after 45 minutes and hobbled off against the latter on Sunday.

According to the Daily Mail, there are now concerns that Shaw could be absent for the remainder of the campaign.

The report claims that Shaw has suffered a recurrence of a previous injury and will be sidelined in the long term, definitely missing England's friendlies during the back end of March.

Ten Hag is no stranger to having to find an alternative option at left-back with Aaron Wan-Bissaka or Diogo Dalot having deputised there in the past.

That said, with Wan-Bissaka currently sidelined and Tyrell Malacia having not played all season due to knee surgery, Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat will be considered instead.

United face a busy run of fixtures, starting by hosting Fulham on Saturday before they make the trip to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup fifth round on February 28.

A derby showdown against Manchester City is up after that, with United currently on a four-match winning streak in the Premier League and now sitting within three points of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. body check tags ::