LONDON: Luke Shaw is facing a possible three weeks out of action after another injury setback, which raises further questions over Jose Mourinho's decision to single him out for criticism after the defeat at Watford.
The Manchester United defender will have a scan on a groin problem this morning and it is feared Shaw will be out for at least the remainder of the month, adding to Mourinho's mounting injury problems.
Shaw was taken off after 85 minutes in Sunday's 3-1 defeat at Watford and is understood to have been shocked by Mourinho's response to his part in Watford's second goal.
Mourinho blamed Shaw for not being close enough to Watford's Nordin Amrabat in the build-up to the goal and senior players are also believed to have been "surprised" that the left-back was targeted by the United manager.
"Their second goal is a mistake that goes against our plan and our training, because our intention was for their wing-backs to be pressed and not let them progress," said Mourinho.
"Nordin Amrabat receives the ball and our left-back Luke Shaw is 25 metres from him instead of five."
Shaw has been struggling with the groin injury for some time, however, and was playing in a great deal of pain when Watford regained the lead through Juan Zuniga.
United are preparing to be without the 21-year-old, who has started all five league games, for between two to three weeks.
Juan Mata, the United midfielder, has demanded a swift response ahead of two crucial games this week. United face League One side Northampton Town in the League Cup tomorrow before hosting the champions Leicester City on Saturday.
"One of the best things of football is that the game is testing you all the time. A win doesn't last too long, and it happens the same way with a defeat: you have the chance to make it up soon afterwards," wrote Mata in his blog.
"Two more games this week will give us the opportunity to show on the pitch our pride and skills. There's no time for mourning. We must react."