The latest news on Luke Shaw after missing Manchester United’s FA Cup defeat | Football

Darren Fletcher provides an update on Luke Shaw after he missed Manchester United’s FA Cup third round defeat to Brighton.

United are almost certain to miss out on the trophy for the second season in a row after crashing out of the cup at the first hurdle on Sunday.

Goals from Brajan Gruda and former Red Devil Danny Welbeck put the Seagulls in control in the Premier League clash at Old Trafford, with Ruben Amorim’s sacking last week not sparking a turnaround.

Benjamin Sesko pulled one back late on, but it was too late, youngster Shea Lacey was sent off in the final minutes to end a miserable day for United.

Caretaker manager Fletcher named as strong a starting XI as he could, with several key players yet to return from injury or AFCON, but there was one surprise absent from the matchday squad: Shaw.

The defender has started all but one of United’s games so far this season, only missing the humiliating Carabao Cup defeat to Grimbsy Town in August when Amorim gave him a rest.

The absence of such an experienced player comes at a difficult time, with United recovering from a change of manager and big Premier League games against Manchester City and Arsenal next up.

Ahead of kick-off against Brighton, it was reported that Shaw’s absence was not due to injury, the 30-year-old was sidelined and rested after starting four games in 16 days.

Fletcher has confirmed this, telling MUTV that the decision was taken: ‘Especially because the players have a busy schedule, there are a lot of games, some players have had declines, you know, very high.

‘A skeleton squad with injuries, players at AFCON, so I feel it’s important for those players, especially Luke and Case [Casemiro]play a lot in minutes.

‘So just trying to freshen them up, keep them good, don’t want to risk any more injuries, and then also give a chance to some of the other players.’

Shaw will therefore be available for next Saturday’s Manchester derby, but it remains to be seen whether he or Patrick Dorgu will start.

More to follow…

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