By tradition, all members of Man United’s first-team squad are normally obliged to attend home games, whether they are able to play or not – and cheer their club side.
However, manager Louis Van Gaal, has allowed Luke Shaw to miss the Manchester United’s Champions League game with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday – at home (Old Trafford).
The flying Dutchman excused Shaw after the England defender broke his leg in the reverse fixture with the PSV guys – on their turf.
It appears that Shaw has been spared a reunion with PSV as he continues his recovery from the double leg break he sustained in United’s 2-1 defeat in Eindhoven in September, which was our opening Group B game.
Van Gaal spoke on the issue on Tuesday:
“Now he is a little bit fed up with the daily routine so I give him, also because of PSV, four days off.
I thought, why is he fed up? Maybe it is because of the match of PSV and every player (usually) has to watch the game from the stadium to support their colleagues.
I think the first match was very disappointing. Not only because of the result, but also because of the loss of Luke Shaw.
For me and for us, he is a very important player. I said in advance that he would be the revelation of the season because last season was his adaptation season and he was on his way to do that.
Because of that I didn’t buy a left-back because I had Daley Blind and also Marcos Rojo who could play in that position, and also Ashley Young.
I think I can manage the situation, but still it is a big loss because he is in my opinion the best left full-back of Manchester United.
No, my players are not doing that, I am sure of that, so I don’t think that shall be an issue (i.e. issue of retribution against PSV players because of Shaw’s injury).
I have said also already that it was not his purpose. In football, it can happen. It is a resistance sport and it is not the first time somebody is injured with a broken leg (on Shaw’s injury inflicted by Mexico international, Hector Moreno, who Van Gaal managed previously at AZ Alkmaar)
– Louis Van Gaal, Manager Manchester United
Photo above: Manchester’s Luke Shaw leaves the field after being injured during a UEFA Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven in Eindhoven, Belgium on September 15, 2015 (AFP Photo/John Thys)
Van Gaal, who previously managed Mexico international Moreno at AZ Alkmaar, insists there is no question of his players seeking retribution. I also do not support that.
Let’s move to another issue. For the first time since Van Gaal took charge of the Red Devils, the Wayne Rooney selection is ‘not automatic’ and that’s surprising to me because Van Gaal had always spoken out in defense of Rooney’s declining match form.
Despite all our injury woes, I think that Man United will defeat PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday – at Old Trafford.
Up Man U!
Madjack United 