Manchester United are hopeful of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia returning to action from respective calf and knee injuries after the upcoming October international break.

Shaw missed the final three months of last season with a hamstring problem, but recovered his fitness to play a role in the latter stages of Euro 2024 with England during the summer. A fresh problem, however, has ruled the defender out since.

Malacia has been absent for longer, not seen in a United shirt since May 2023, 17 months ago.

Speaking this week, manager Erik ten Hag said both players are “improving” and was optimistic that Shaw will be able to return to the fold after the second round of international fixtures – the 29-year-old again missing out as England take on Greece and Finland in the Nations League.

He explained: “We hope Luke Shaw can return after the international break quickly. I don’t know if it’s the first game [after the international break], we’re hoping for [it], but I can’t, in this moment, tell this with 100 per cent security.

“From now, we have two-and-a-half weeks to work to that point. And, shortly after, he’ll be there.”

For Malacia, the return to full training will be a key moment. “Tyrell is making good progress on the pitch but has to make the step to full team training,” Ten Hag said.

United have survived without a specialised left-back so far this season. Diogo Dalot, a right-back by trade, has mostly filled in on that side, but Lisandro Martinez and emerging midfielder Toby Collyer have also been asked to play out of position to plug the gap.

Although the injury situation has been an improvement on last season, United and Ten Hag have still had to contend with absences. Leny Yoro is yet to make his competitive debut since a high profile summer arrival from Lille, while Victor Lindelof has only just become available.

Mason Mount is also currently sidelined again due to a head injury suffered against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend. But Kobbie Mainoo doesn’t appear to have suffered any lasting damage, despite being withdrawn in the first half of that game. The teenage midfielder has travelled with the squad for this week’s away Europa League clash with Porto. Harry Maguire is back too.

READ THE LATEST MAN UTD NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP