Manchester United injury news: Defender Luke Shaw set to make return from double fracture in March

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has stepped up his rehabilitation and could make an early return from injury in March. The left-back last featured for the Red Devils in September, after an impressive start to the 2015/16 season was halted by a double leg fracture he suffered during the Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven.

The England international has since been on the sidelines and was expected to be out of action for the remainder of the season. However, the Independent reports that the defender has stepped up his efforts to recover from the injury and return to action for the Red Devils.

Louis van Gaal publicly expressed his desire to sign a full-back, but ended up without making any new additions to the squad in the January window. Shaw's recovery from injury was one of the factors for not bringing in reinforcements in the midseason transfer window. However, the medical staff at the club are not willing to rush the former Southampton man back into action, despite positive news regarding his progress so far.

Shaw is not the only defender in United's treatment room. He is joined by Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian and versatile player Ashley Young in the list of injured players at Old Trafford.

The former Aston Villa star suffered a "severe groin injury" during his side's 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on 17 January and was set to miss the remainder of this campaign. According to the Manchester Evening News, Young is set to join Shaw in making a return from injury in March. Both Young and Shaw were spotted leaving United's training ground in Carrington prior to their Premier League clash against Stoke City at Old Trafford on 2 February.

Should he return to action for end of the season's fixtures, Shaw can then set his sights on making it to Roy Hodgson's squad for the European championship in the summer. The potential return of Shaw and Young will give Van Gaal more options while selecting his back four and it will improve the Red Devils' defence as they look to qualify for next season's Champions League.