Luke Shaw keen to prove fitness ahead of Leicester City clash

Luke Shaw is keen to hand Manchester United an injury boost ahead of their clash against Leicester City on Saturday (24 September) with the defender said to be willing to play through the pain. The left-back was diagnosed with slight groin tear following the Red Devils' loss to Watford last weekend, and was expected to be sidelined for around two to three weeks.

The Sun reports that the defender is not willing to take time off to recover from the injury and is keen to continue to play. He believes that the injury can be treated without having to miss any games and is keen to prove his fitness to Jose Mourinho ahead of the visit of the Foxes.

Shaw came under criticism for his performances against Watford with the Portuguese manager blaming the defender for Watford's second goal. The England international, who returned at the start of this season from a long-term injury that saw him miss most of the 2015.16 campaign, has started all of United's Premier League games thus far and is keen for it to continue on Saturday.

Mourinho could be skeptical about risking the defender owing to his lack of fitness, but the manager does not possess a readymade replacement to fill the void at left-back. Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Ashley Young can play in the left full-back position, but could pose a risk when they come up against more accomplished opposition.

The Argentinean international has featured at left-back this season against Feyenoord in the Europa League and against Northampton Town in the EFL Cup. Rojo, who is primarily a central defender, was unconvincing with his performances on both occasions.

The preferred option going into the game against the Foxes, where they will come up against the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Jamie Vardy or Ahmed Musa could be Daley Blind, who is the most accomplished of the three to play at left-back. The Dutchman, who has established himself as a reliable centre-back since the start of last season, has played extensively at left-back earlier in his career for both club and country.

Mourinho can shift Blind to left-back and bring in Chris Smalling, who got a run out against Northampton in the EFL Cup, to partner Eric Bailly at the heart of United's defence. However, the manager's problems will be solved if Shaw does prove his fitness ahead of kickoff on Saturday.