Manchester United: Louis van Gaal expects Luke Shaw to be back in six months

Louis van Gaal has revealed that Luke Shaw will face up to six months on the sidelines after suffering a double fracture in their game against PSV Eindoven in the group stages of the Champions League. The defender has had his leg operated upon and according to the United manager, should have an outside chance of featuring in the Euros next year.

Shaw started the season brilliantly and was honoured with United's player of the month award in August for his consistent performances. The 20-year-old had worked on his fitness after a diabolical first season at Old Trafford where he was not up to speed with the league and missed a major part of the campaign with injuries.

"He will be out [for] at least six months. You can't predict the development of the rehabilitation," Van Gaal told the BBC. "There's always more - and then he has to get fit," the Dutchman added.

The defender would require some more time to recuperate and complete his rehabilitation, but Van Gaal is confident that Shaw can overcome these problems. "It is not easy and Luke knows he has a long way to go but the most important thing is he is mentally very strong," added Van Gaal.

The manager has a few defensive problems to look into for their game against Sunderland owing to an injury to Marcos Rojo, which will force Daley Blind into left-back allowing Phil Jones to come in and partner Chris Smalling in the centre of defence. Sunderland have not won a single game thus far and the defensive reorganisation will give the Black Cats a chance to show their attacking mettle.

"We have the same three injuries – Rojo, Shaw and McNair," Van Gaal said, as quoted by Goal. "We have to wait and see how the others recover as there's only two days between matches."