Soccer

Luke Shaw won’t get chance to react to criticism against Northampton

The left-back was singled out by José Mourinho after Watford’s second goal on Sunday

Luke Shaw of Manchester United takes the ball past Etienne Capoue of Watford during their Premier League clash at Vicarage Road. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Luke Shaw of Manchester United takes the ball past Etienne Capoue of Watford during their Premier League clash at Vicarage Road. Photo: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Tue Sept 20 2016 - 14:00

Luke Shaw was disappointed with Jose Mourinho's criticism of him in the defeat to Watford and will not get the chance to make amends on Wednesday in Manchester United's EFL Cup match at Northampton due to a slight groin tear.

What looked to be an exciting new chapter at Old Trafford got off to a dream start under the Portuguese, with Community Shield glory followed by three successive Premier League wins.

Things have gone awry since returning from the international break, though, with the derby defeat at home to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City compounded by their Europa League opener away to Feyenoord ending in a late loss.

United slipped to a third straight defeat in eight days on Sunday as Watford ran out 3-1 victors, after which Mourinho said “some individuals probably feel the pressure and responsibility too much”.

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Shaw was singled out for his positioning as Camilo Zuniga re-established Watford’s lead — something the England left-back is understood to be irritated about, especially given the manager had indicated such comments about individuals would be kept in-house.

The 21-year-old is still making his way back to his best after missing the majority of the previous campaign following a horrific double leg break in a Champions League match at PSV Eindhoven last September.

Shaw has picked up the odd niggle so far this season, leading him to withdraw from England’s World Cup qualifier in Slovakia and miss last week’s trip to Holland to play Feyenoord.

The left-back had a groin complaint scanned on Tuesday, with the results showing a slight tear that makes him 50-50 for Saturday’s Premier League clash with reigning champions Leicester.

While not as bad as first thought, the injury will rule the full-back out of Wednesday’s EFL Cup third-round tie at Northampton — a match Anthony Martial is also a doubt for after being forced off at Watford.

The France forward clashed heads with Daryl Janmaat in the 27th minute of Sunday’s game. Seven minutes later Martial lost the ball in the build-up to Watford’s opener and four minutes after that he was substituted, still appearing to be feeling the effects of the earlier collision of heads.

United’s preview for Wednesday’s match states he “will be assessed” and the striker posted an update on Tuesday morning.

“Feel much better today,” he wrote on Facebook. “Thanks for all your support and your messages!”