Luke Shaw faces an extended wait to make his competitive debut for Manchester United after he was ruled out for up to four weeks with a hamstring injury.
Shaw, a £27million (Dh165m) capture from Southampton in June, is set to miss United’s Premier Legaue opener against Swansea on Saturday – as well as further league fixtures against Sunderland and Burnley – due to the injury.
The 19-year-old left-back made his Red Devils debut in a 7-0 win over LA Galaxy last month but will not be able to make his league bow for his new club this weekend, which will also mark boss Louis van Gaal’s first competitive match at the helm.
However, United could sign have some cover for Shaw in the shape of Argentine international Marcos Rojo. The Sporting Lisbon defender is being hit with disciplinary action by his club amid talk of him being wanted by Van Gaal.
Reports suggest United have made a bid of around £16million (Dh98m) for the 24-year-old and that Rojo has refused to train with Sporting, handed in a transfer request and asked to be allowed to join the Red Devils.
Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho has been quoted as saying that both Rojo and team-mate Islam Slimani are “subject to strong disciplinary measures”.
De Carvalho, quoted by Portuguese newspaper Record, said: “They will not play next weekend. Both players have taken decisions that have caused sharp indiscipline at Sporting.”
Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney has spoken of his pride at being confirmed as United captain for the new season.
Rooney, who joined United in 2004, is on the of the club’s longest serving players and has got the nod from Van Gaal.
Rooney said: “It is a huge honour for me – and for my family – to be named captain of this great club.
“It is a role I will perform with great pride. Team spirit has always been very high in our dressing room and I am very grateful to the manager for the faith he has shown in me.
“I look forward to leading the team out on Saturday at our first match of the new season.”