Luke Shaw returned to training this week, but he is not yet ready to be involved with the Manchester United team, confirmed Ruben Amorim. The England international was back on the grass on Wednesday for the first time since early December when he suffered a setback with a calf problem. The 29-year-old has made just two Premier League appearances so far this season, both as a substitute and one further outing in the Europa League off the bench.

Given his extensive history of injury problems it is no surprise that manager Ruben Amorim intends to be very careful with him as he returns. The Red Devils boss is not committing to when fans can expect to see the left-back again, saying it will take a number of training sessions first. ‘It can take a little bit more time,’ Amorim said of Shaw. ‘I think he needs to train more, to spend more time with his team-mates playing even like normal, small-sided games, not just working alone.

‘He stayed there [at Carrington training base] to make a different type of work, he’s going to get together with the team when we arrive and start from there. When I feel it is the right moment, we will start with some minutes in the games.’. The Red Devils host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday, so Shaw will not expect to be involved then, but fixtures later in February could be an option.

As Shaw recovers full fitness, Manchester United are expected to complete the signing of another left-back before the transfer window closes after agreeing a deal with Lecce for Patrick Dorgu. It has been a problem position for the club, with the right-footed Diogo Dalot filling in there while Shaw has been out and Tyrell Malacia has also struggled for form and fitness. The Dutchman has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this month, with a loan switch to Real Betis touted.

Speaking on the immediate future of Malacia, Amorim said: ‘We will see. What I know is that it’s really hard on Malacia. ‘A long time without playing and then it’s hard to make a lot of games and a player like him, he’s a full-back, and sometimes in this system – he played in the national team outside and inside – it’s hard for him because it’s not so offensive and he can play like one of the three defenders if we have more possession and more control of the games.

‘So, it’s really a difficult context for him but he’s our player and we are going to help him.’. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. Amorim’s squad is in pretty good shape fitness-wise ahead of the Eagles clash, with only Mason Mount and Jonny Evans expected to miss out. The same cannot be said about their opponents after manager Oliver Glasner confirmed Eberechi Eze is among their absentees.

Glasner said of Amorim, who he faced as Frankfurt boss when the Portuguese was in charge of Sporting: ‘I have a lot of respect and I admire Ruben Amorim for how he managed the first weeks here. ‘When you go to such a big club like Man United and starting with this, it was not easy. But he went his way with all his determination and conviction. ‘I think now you can see how he wants to play. It’s nothing new for me because I know how he wants to play from the tactical side and what he expects from the players in the different positions so it won’t be a surprise, but they look like they’re getting used to it.