Van Gaal sets target date for injured Luke Shaw's return

A full-blooded tackle from PSV Eindhoven's Hector Moreno has sidelined Luke Shaw since September, but manager Louis van Gaal still holds hope his left-back can feature again this season.

Shaw started the season in fine form, but the double fracture of his right leg has left his Manchester United manager switching between Matteo Darmian and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson in his stead.

There is hope, however, that he can still take a starring role in United's season, perhaps putting the ex-Southampton man in the frame for England's Euro 2016 campaign. Shaw's return could apparently come in May, should his team last the distance in the Europa League.

"He can play the final. That is a goal he has to live for," Van Gaal said.

Manchester United takes on FC Midtjylland in the continental competition in February. Among the 30 other teams left in the competition are tough outfits such as Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur, Napoli, and, chasing its third consecutive Europa League title, Sevilla.

For the 20-year-old to win back his place in the England lineup, he would have to usurp Kieran Gibbs and Ryan Bertrand, who have shared duties on the left side of defence in the Three Lions' last four outings.

Shaw is currently jointed by fellow lengthy absentees Antonio Valencia, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marcos Rojo, and Phil Jones in the Carrington treatment room.