Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is reportedly close to making his return for the Red Devils after suffering a horrific double leg break against PSV Eindhoven in September last year.

The 20-year-old suffered a double fracture in his right leg after a reckless challenge by PSV Eindhoven’s Hector Moreno in Manchester United’s 2-1 Champions League loss last year. The seriousness of the injury raised doubts over whether Shaw would feature again this season.

Manager Louis van Gaal has always been positive in that regard, and revealed earlier in the season that he asked the young left-back to target a return in the final games of the season — including, potentially, the Europa League final.

It appears as though that may now be a possibility after all. England’s Mail Online reports that Shaw could return to the Manchester United squad before the end of the season, with a view to participating in the 2016 European Championship in France later this year.

The report suggests that the former Southampton defender is looking to return to the pitch before the end of the season, and is set to resume training with the first team in the coming weeks. England manager Roy Hogdson will also be monitoring the developments at Carrington with a keen interest, and if Shaw is able to prove his fitness by the end of the season, there is every chance that he will be included in England’s squad for the Euros.

Shaw return a huge boost for Manchester United and England

Manchester United’s struggles this season across various competitions can partially be attributed to the number of injuries Louis van Gaal’s side has suffered, particularly in defence. The likes of Matteo Darmian, Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia have all spent time on the sidelines at one point or another during the course of the season.

Luke Shaw’s return would finally give Van Gaal the option of using a natural left-back. Meanwhile, England would also benefit greatly if the United youngster is able to recover before the end of the season and gets minutes under his belt. Shaw is arguably the most talented left-sided defender Hodgson has available to him, and a full recovery could prompt the Three Lions manager to put him straight back in the starting line-up.