LIKE SHAW could return to England today, but Louis van Gaal has told the Manchester United defender he faces a tough physical and mental battle to return to peak form.
The left-back broke his right leg in two places during United's 2-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday following a sliding tackle by Hector Moreno.
The 20-year-old had an operation at the St Anna Ziekenhuis hospital on the night of the game, followed by a second procedure a day later. He has remained in the Netherlands since to continue his recovery.
After three days' treatment, he looks set to return to Manchester this weekend with specialists pleased with the outcome of his second operation.
The United manager said: ''His family is there, we have sent people with him and he will come back when he is prepared. Maybe tomorrow [Saturday].''
Shaw left the pitch at the Philips Stadion on a stretcher while receiving oxygen.
The former Southampton left-back was in tears at the time, but is now in better spirits, according to his manager.
''I called him last night [Thursday],'' Van Gaal said. ''He sounds very strong, which was amazing for me – a big surprise.
''It is a good signal, but he knows he has a long way to go and it is not easy... He will have a long period of rehabilitation [when he is back] and he has a long way to go.''
Van Gaal said after the Champions League group stage match that Shaw could return in March.
The Dutchman believes it will be a tough challenge for him to reach the kind of form that made him one of the best players in the team so far this season
''It is not only physical but mental,'' Van Gaal said.
''For us it is a big loss, as a team. I said [in pre-season] this will be the season of Luke Shaw but now it is finished nearly.
''He started so well, built up a left wing with (Memphis) Depay and Shaw, but we have to start filling it again and it is not easy.''
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