So horrible this happening to any player. Feel so bad for Luke Shaw, he was playing so well. http://t.co/MkkWCyWXoK
Manchester United lost their opening Champions League group stage game against PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night at the Phillips Stadion, and lost one of their bright young players for quite some time.
Luke Shaw had his leg broken on a challenge by PSV’s Hector Moreno early in the game, and was carted off the pitch. Shaw has been with the Red Devils for 15 months and was one of the key cogs to a defense that began the 2015/16 season on a positive note.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Hector Moreno Made the Challenge in the 15th Minute
The challenge by Hector Moreno that broke Luke Shaw’s leg. (Getty)
Shaw was hacked down by Moreno early on in the game after a run past several defenders. The video showed the awkward way in which his leg was bent, and immediately went down as a result. He was treated for 10-plus minutes before being carted off the field by the medical staff.
Moreno was not booked for the challenge.
Eight minutes of injury time were added on, and PSV rallied in the second half to prevail. Luciano Narsingh scored the game-winning goal in the 57th minute.
Immediately after the match, Shaw tweeted out a positive note and thanked the fans for their support.
Thank you everyone for your messages , words can’t describe how gutted I am , my road to recovery starts now, I will come back stronger.
2. He Could Face Months out With the Injury
(Getty)
Depending on the type of leg break, recovery time can vary significantly.
Shaw suffered a double-leg fracture as a result of Moreno’s challenge, and is likely out through at least the rest of the Premier League season. Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was a little more optimistic than that, but it’s highly unlikely according to most.
LVG suggesting that Shaw could play again this season ‘after six months.’ Hope he’s right, but seems an optimistic outlook..
3. He Was Once the Most Expensive Teenager in World Soccer
Shaw was one of many Southampton youth players to leave the club in the several years. (Getty)
Shaw came up through Southampton’s youth system and made his senior debut at 16-years-old. From then he was a target of all the top clubs in the Premier League.
After starring for Southampton in the Premier League for two seasons, Manchester United secured his services for $46 million, the most ever paid for a teenager at the time.
That has since been blown away several times, most recently by new teammate Anthony Martial, who could cost close to $90 million.
4. Shaw Suffered Several Injuries Last Season
Injuries have cost Shaw much of his time at Old Trafford. Before last season started, he was bothered by a hamstring injury that cost him the first month of the EPL campaign.
Last November, he then injured his ankle and missed another month. He worked his way into first team contention before his hamstring flared up again in March and forced him to most of the rest of the season.
To compound the season, he suffered a concussion in one of the final matches of the season.
5. Former Man United Midfielder Alan Smith Broke his Leg in 2006
Alan Smith broke his leg against Liverpool in February, 2006 and was never the same. (Getty)
This isn’t the first time a Manchester United player has suffered as similar injury. Former Leeds United standout Alan Smith broke his leg while playing for the Red Devils against Liverpool. The injury was equally gruesome and cost Smith about eight months.
However the injury itself was different; Shaw suffered a double-leg break while Smith suffered a broken leg and dislocated ankle.