Shaw bids to be back this season amid good recovery

Manchester: Luke Shaw is poised to start training next month, as he steps up his recovery from a broken leg, and believes he could play again for Manchester United this season.

The England full-back suffered a double fracture of his right leg in a Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven in September and it was initially feared that he would not play again this season. But the 20-year-old is continuing to make good progress in his rehabilitation and a first-team return this season has not been ruled out.

Shaw was given a boost by Roy Hodgson last week, after the -England manager hinted that he will be under consideration for Euro 2016 if he becomes available.

It is thought unlikely at this stage that the left-back will be fully fit for international duty but United’s medical staff remain optimistic of him making a late push for the first team.

Shaw made an impressive start to the season, making eight appearances, before suffering the horrific injury in a challenge by PSV defender Hector Moreno. He had also begun the campaign as first choice for England, playing in the qualifiers against San Marino and Switzerland, with Hodgson making regular checks on the former Southampton defender’s progress since the injury. He was invited to a winter get-together at St George’s Park last month but did not attend, preferring to focus on his rehabilitation.

Shaw’s absence has proven a problem for United, beginning an injury-ravaged campaign in which Louis van Gaal has also lost Wayne Rooney, Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Marouane Fellaini and Antonio Valencia this year alone.

Meanwhile, teenage striker Marcus Rashford is at the centre of an intensifying battle between the country’s leading football agencies. Rashford became an overnight star after scoring four goals in his first two appearances but does not have a regular agent. The 18-year-old made only his fourth first-team appearance for United in the 1-0 -defeat at West Bromwich Albion and is expected to sign up with an agency before the season ends.

United’s defeat dented their hopes of a top-four finish yet midfielder Michael Carrick is staying optimistic.

“There is still a lot to play for, there are going to be twists and turns and we have a lot of the teams around us to play, so that will tell its own story come the end of the season,” he said.

“It is a setback but there are some massive games around the corner. We were on the up, everyone was so positive.

“This is a blow for us but we need to get back, ready for Thursday.”

United travel to Anfield to play Liverpool in the mouth-watering Europa League Round of 16 first leg tie on Thursday night.