An uncomfortable conversation is required about Luke Shaw and Manchester United

Death, taxes and Manchester United defender Luke Shaw picking up injuries.

Shaw is a wonderful footballer and makes a blatant difference when he plays, but his injury record cannot be ignored and it suggests another left-back might need to be signed. The 28-year-old was substituted on the stroke of half-time against Luton Town last weekend after sustaining a muscle injury and it was confirmed on Wednesday night that he would be out for a few months with that problem, meaning he could miss the remainder of the season.

Shaw was brought off during the interval against Aston Villa a week earlier and Erik ten Hag said that was a precaution. He was deemed fit enough to play at Kenilworth Road after overcoming a late fitness test but, with the benefit of hindsight, he shouldn’t have featured.

Tyrell Malacia is a long-term absentee after two rounds of knee surgery and Sergio Reguilon was sent back to Tottenham after a short-term loan. Shaw was the only left-back available in the squad and makeshift options, like Victor Lindelof and Sofyan Amrabat, will now have to be used.

Ten Hag and his medical staff must take responsibility for giving Shaw the green light to face Luton and the handling of him throughout the season has been questionable at best. After picking up an injury at the London Stadium before Christmas, Shaw was absent for more than a month. Then he started against Newport County, Wolves, West Ham; Aston Villa (when he picked up a knock and was substituted at half-time) and Luton in the space of 19 days.

A load of starting a game every 3.8 days immediately after returning from injury is not advisable and he was also poorly handled when he returned from his original muscle injury. Shaw didn’t play any football between August 19 and November 26 but instead of being eased back, he was asked to start every game until he couldn’t again.

Luke Shaw

The defender made his return in the 3-0 win against Everton at Goodison Park and then started games against Galatasaray, Newcastle, Chelsea; Bournemouth and Bayern Munich (when he picked up a knock and was substituted at half-time) in the space of 17 days.

That represented a load of a game every 2.8 days, which is absurd after returning from a long-term issue. Shaw was cleared to play after picking up that knock against Bayern, he started against Liverpool and was sidelined for a month in the next game against West Ham.

Shaw’s injury record is awful but his situation this season must be empathised with because the demands placed on his body straight after his comebacks have not been fair. You don’t need to be a medical expert to conclude United might have been asking for trouble by starting Shaw in successive games over a short period after sustaining muscle injuries.

Having said that, and although there is a clear pattern with Shaw’s injuries this season, availability is the best ability and signing a reliable left-back could be on the agenda in the summer. Shaw is a special talent and his adaptation to playing at centre half last term highlighted his quality, but United need a left-back who can perform regardless of the hectic schedule.

This summer will mark the 10-year anniversary of Shaw signing for United and, unfortunately, his decade spent in Manchester has been plagued with injury problems. There have been various muscle, hamstring, ankle, groin, foot and head issues and he’s only been available for 70 per cent of games in a season twice since 2014.

Shaw is the club’s longest-serving player and he can be outstanding when available. He is also a role model and it’s understood he does charitable work that the public are not aware of. But his injury record is not good enough and it might cost him his starting place.