Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw showing 'good signals' following double leg break

Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw is already making progress in his attempt to return from a double leg break, according to manager Louis van Gaal. The England international suffered the injury in the Champions League defeat by PSV Eindhoven and is expected to miss the rest of the season but the United boss has already been taken aback by his progress.

Shaw has undergone two bouts of surgery following the tackle by Hector Moreno in the club's European opener, as he begins the long road to recovery from the horrific injury. Van Gaal says that following a conversation with the 20-year-old, he is positive the defender will make a full recovery.

"I spoke to him last night," Van Gaal told MUTV. "He was very positive. It's amazing for me. There are very good signals. We have already started the rehabilitation. He shall be visited at home for the first electro muscle stimulants, so I think it's very good."

Both Marcos Rojo and Paddy McNair have joined Shaw on the sidelines ahead of the game over bottom club Sunderland, after both players suffered injuries in the win at Southampton. Rojo went off after 69 minutes with a knock before being replaced by McNair, who also picked up an injury in the twilight of the game.

"We have three injuries – Rojo, Shaw and Paddy McNair," the Dutch coach added. "It's the same and we have to wait to see how the players recover because there are only two days between the two matches. Until now I don't know how I'll put the line-up."

Anthony Martial netted his fourth United goal since joining from Monaco in the summer, in the Capital One Cup win over Ipswich Town, and the France international can break a host of records should he find the net against Sunderland. The 19-year-old could become the first ever United player to score in their first three Premier League games, but Van Gaal is not putting pressure on the youngster.

"It is a little bit of luck, but of course the main thing is his quality," he explained. "As a player, he has to do it and he has to cope with the pressure. What we have seen until now, he can do it. "His personality is that he is an open guy, he is listening, he is watching, he is focusing on the matches. For a manager, he is a very coachable player – that is also why I bought him."