Louis van Gaal sets Luke Shaw a recovery goal “he has to live for”

Louis van Gaal has set a target recovery date for Luke Shaw.

Shaw has been out of action since suffering a horrendous leg break against PSV Eindhoven in September, and it is still unknown when he will return. The 20-year-old won't be back in time for the Europa League last-32 clash against Midtjylland later this month, but Van Gaal has given him a more long term aim.

"He can play in the final and I've said that to him. For him, it's a goal that he has to live for. It is possible. It's not impossible, in my opinion."

https://twitter.com/Football__Tweet/status/643865026030387200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Van Gaal also believes that the numerous injuries in the squad this season is the reason behind their poor league form. The Dutch boss cites the club being top of the table in November, right before the injury crisis began.

"I don't want to hide myself behind the injuries, but when you have five or six players in the same position you can't hide anymore. You have to solve a problem you can't solve."

"We had that period in December and now the players are coming back and they're fit again and I can continue how I started the season. We were first in the Premier League and it was in that period, but when you have four defeats in a row you can't say that."

'When you don't have full backs anymore it's a big problem because in our system the full backs are always in attack."