Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw is potentially a doubt to play again this season following recent surgery to remove metal screws from his leg.

Shaw had the screws inserted when the leg was operated on following the career threatening break he suffered during a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven back in September 2015.

United boss Ralf Rangnick confirmed last week that the player was ‘having problems’ with that area. Shaw subsequently went under the knife last weekend to fix the problem and was originally expected to miss up to three weeks while he recovered.

But fresh suggestions are that it is expected to take more time, putting a doubt on whether he returns before the end of the season, which is now only a little over a month away.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that Shaw has now been ‘ruled out longer’ following an assessment of the surgical procedure. No fresh time-frame has been put on his return, leaving it open-ended given how close the season is to its conclusion.

United will play their final game on 22 May against Crystal Palace, the last of seven outstanding fixtures over the next five weeks in the race for a top four place.

Shaw’s absence will at least allow Alex Telles to get a consistent run of games. The Brazilian has been the preferred choice in recent weeks while Shaw has been nursing injury and illness. But he is the only other recognised left-back in the first-team squad, adding to the risk of United being short on that side should he also pick an injury in the coming weeks.

Telles hasn’t been injury-free himself, missing the start of the campaign and not making his first appearance until November as a result of an ankle problem suffered in pre-season.