Luke Shaw ruled out of Everton clash v Manchester United with hamstring injury
Everton have been handed a boost before their clash with Manchester United on Saturday (8 April) after Luke Shaw was ruled out through injury.
The England international was forced off in the midweek win over Brentford during the first half, but it was reported that it was just a precaution and was nothing serious.
But manager Erik Ten Hag has revealed that the 27-year-old will be unavailable for the clash against the Toffees at Old Trafford, boosting Sean Dyche’s side greatly in their pursuit of a result.
“Luke Shaw is not available for tomorrow and we have to see how we progress in the coming week,” he said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News (7 April).
Netherlands international Tyrell Malacia is set to step into his place in the team, while Christian Eriksen is set to be named on the bench after two months out with an ankle injury.
Boost
With Everton being in the situation they’re in currently in the Premier League, we need all the little advantages we can get.
Shaw has been in excellent form this season and has been one of the best left-backs in the league, so his absence will be felt no matter who their replacement is.
Alex Iwobi is likely to be moved into central midfield for Everton with Abdoulaye Doucoure suspended, but that could give Sean Dyche the opportunity to be a bit more attack-minded out wide by using Demarai Gray, Dwight McNeil and a striker in the front three positions.
That would really open them up to the counter attack and also make sure that we test Malacia coming into the team.
It’s just as possible that Dyche goes for a straight swap in the middle with James Garner or Tom Davies coming in, leaving Iwobi tasked with troubling Malacia.
Either way, without Shaw Manchester United are a weaker team and it could be those small margins that go in our favour to help us get a result and avoid the drop. There is a reason he has played for them 250 times.