David de Gea: Manchester United keeper knee injury 'not serious' but likely to miss FA Cup tie

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has avoided a sustained period on the sidelines after a scan on 19 February showed the knee injury he suffered in the warm-up prior to the Europa League defeat to FC Midtjylland is not serious, IBTimes UK understands. The 25-year-old is unlikely to be risked for the FA Cup fifth-round tie with League One side Shrewsbury Town but a medical assessment since suffering the blow in Denmark has ruled out significant injury.

De Gea picked up the knee problem while warming up prior to the first leg at the MCH Arena. Argentina international Sergio Romero stepped in and though he conceded two soft goals, he is in line for his first start domestic start since October 2015.

United's medical team will continue to monitor De Gea's fitness in the coming days, a period that will dictate whether he will be fit for the second leg of the last 32 tie against Midtjylland (25 February) or the crucial Premier League trip to Arsenal (28 February).

The former Atletico Madrid stopper has damaged his meniscus cartilage and is expected to miss the Shrewsbury Town FA Cup tie on 22 February, with manager Louis van Gaal unwilling to risk the fitness of arguably his most important player.

Scans carried out following the team's return to Manchester are said to be positive, according to sources close to the player, and the damage sustained is not deemed to be serious. De Gea appears to have avoided joining United's other long-term injury absences, which include Wayne Rooney, Matteo Darmian and Ashley Young.

Speaking on the blow after the game against Midtjylland, Van Gaal had said: "It happened in the warm up. We have to wait and see for the scan tomorrow, then maybe we can say more but it was a big surprise."

The impressive performances of De Gea this season have largely been in vain for a United team destined to miss out on qualification for the Champions League, having kept nine clean sheets for a side six points adrift of the top four.