Luke Shaw optimistic about forcing way into Man Utd and England contention

Luke Shaw optimistic about forcing way back into Man Utd and England contention
Shaw hopes to play again this season Credit: PA

Luke Shaw remains optimistic about his prospects of playing for Manchester United again this season and forcing his way into contention for the European Championship finals with England.

Louis van Gaal had appeared to dash Shaw’s chances of making the tournament in France by claiming on Friday that the England left back is unlikely to play again this term.

Luke Shaw, PSV Eindhoven vs Man Utd, Champions League
Shaw was injured playing in the Champions League in September Credit: PA

Shaw, 20, has been sidelined since September after suffering a double leg fracture in United’s Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven.

But he is due to resume first team training this week and believes there is a good chance of him playing a part in United’s final few matches of the campaign and staking a late bid for inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s England squad.

Ashley Young, Manchester United commercial director Jamie Reigle, Wayne Rooney, Luke Shaw, Gulf Oil International vice president Frank Rutten and Antonio Valencia of Manchester United attend the launch of a partnership between Manchester United and Gulf OIl at Aon Training Complex on March 14, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) 
Shaw helping out with some commercial activities Credit: MUFC

United’s trip to Norwich City on May 7 is just under five weeks away, with games against West Ham United three days later and Bournemouth on the final day of the Premier League season on May 15, and Shaw is thought to be aiming to play some part in those.

The FA Cup final takes place on May 21 and represents the prospect of another game should United reach Wembley. They face West Ham in a quarter-final replay at Upton Park on Wednesday week. Van Gaal had stated on Friday that it would be “very difficult” for Shaw to play in the final if United got there.

Danny Rose, England vs Germany
Rose now looks to be England's first choice left-back Credit: GETTY

United’s league matches against Norwich and West Ham come before Hodgson is due to name his provisional 30-man squad for the Euros on May 12. England then have two friendlies, against Turkey on May 22 and Australia five days later, before Hodgson must submit his final 23-man squad at the end of the month.

Hodgson has been insistent that he will not take players who have failed to prove their fitness but the prospect of Shaw – who had been in outstanding form for United before his injury - making a late claim for a place would certainly give the manager food for thought.

Danny Rose has had an impressive season at left back for Spurs and seems likely to travel to France but Hodgson’s other options in the position – Leighton Baines, Ryan Bertrand, Kieran Gibbs and Aaron Cresswell – are more underwhelming and the manager may opt to give Shaw every opportunity to prove his fitness.