Manchester United have been rocked by the news defender Luke Shaw could be out if action for up to six months with a double fracture in his right leg.

The injury occurred on a night to forget for United on their return to the Champions League group stages, as they went down 2-1 away at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday night.

Hector Moreno’s tackle on the full-back inside the penalty area after just 10 minutes of the game went unpunished and the player went on to score the equaliser after Memphis Depay’s opener.

A goal from Luciano Narsingh saw the Dutch outfit wrap up the three points to leave an angry United boss Louis van Gaal ruing his side’s misfortune, especially concerning Shaw.

He said: “A boy who came to Manchester United at 18 years old, it was very difficult, and the next season he plays fantastic and then that happens like this.

“When I say it is a red card and penalty, you will say I am a bad loser. Every word I say is taken in the wrong way. It was in the 18-yard box and it was very bad tackle with two legs.

“I’m not a doctor so I cannot say, but when you have a double fracture it is four to six months. But you can never say that in advance.”

United will begin life without Shaw when they return to Premier League action on Sunday at the player’s former club Southampton Van Gaal’s side are 2.40 to win, 3.20 to draw and 3.10 to lose to Southampton at St Mary’s.