Selection headache for Van Gaal as Shaw faces spell on sidelines
MANCHESTER United boss Louis van Gaal has been dealt a defensive headache after defender Luke Shaw was sidelined for four weeks with a hamstring injury.
The 19-year-old, who played England’s final World Cup group match against Costa Rica, joined the Old Trafford ranks from Southampton in June for £27m, replacing Juventus-bound Patrice Evra as United’s first-choice left-sided defender.
United start their campaign with a home match against Swansea on Saturday lunchtime and Shaw had looked likely to line-up as Van Gaal’s left wing-back.
This leaves the Dutch tactician with Reece James, who did feature on United’s US tour and in Tuesday night’s friendly with Valencia, although the 20-year-old’s only two professional appearances to date came during a loan spell at Carlisle United last season.
United have been drawn away to MK Dons in the second round of the Capital One Cup as the Red Devils prepare to feature at this stage of the competition for the first time in 19 years after missing out on European qualification last term.
Other ties include an all-London clash between Championship sides Brentford and Fulham, while West Ham United host Sheffield United and Crystal Palace head to Walsall.
CAPITAL ONE CUP SECOND ROUND DRAW
Burton Albion v Queens Park Rangers
Port Vale v Cardiff City
Middlesbrough v Preston North End
Stoke City v Portsmouth
Huddersfield Town v Nottingham Forest
Swansea City v Rotherham United
Watford v Doncaster Rovers
Millwall v Southampton
Bournemouth v Northampton Town
Brentford v Fulham
West Bromwich Albion v Oxford United
Scunthorpe United v Reading
Derby County v Charlton Athletic
West Ham United v Sheffield United
Swindon Town v Brighton and HA
Leicester City v Shrewsbury Town
Crewe Alexandra v Bolton Wanderers
Birmingham City v Sunderland
Gillingham v Newcastle United
Norwich City v Crawley Town
Bradford City v Leeds United
Aston Villa v Leyton Orient
Burnley v Sheffield Wednesday
Walsall v Crystal Palace
Milton Keynes Dons v Manchester Utd
All ties to be played
week commencing 25 August