Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw has been dealt another cruel blow in his battle to return from a calf injury.
The down-on-luck defender has been absent for 254 days despite featuring for England during Euro 2024, including starts in the semi-final and final defeat to Spain.
Shaw picked up a calf strain during his first week of pre-season training at United after being sidelined for the last three months of the previous season due to a torn hamstring.
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Erik ten Hag held his pre-match press conference for Wednesday's Carabao Cup clash with Leicester City after the 2-1 defeat at West Ham United, not knowing it would be his last.
And the Dutchman addressed Shaw's prolonged absence, admitting the 29-year-old's spell on the sidelines was set to continue for the foreseeable future.
"The process is not going as we expected," Ten Hag admitted after overseeing a fourth defeat in nine Premier League games this term at the London Stadium.
"That's the truth. The setback, if you want to call it like this, we want also to do it very careful. When he is now dropping again, we want to be very careful."
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Ten Hag also emphasised the importance of Shaw's return to the squad, adding: "We know his past.
"We have to do this right because we want him to be available because he will have a big impact on our performances and also on our levels.
"We can't have him playing for some games and then drop out again. So, we will do it very carefully."
No current injury absentees are expected to return in time to feature against Leicester at Old Trafford, where Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to step in as interim manager for United for the first time.
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Sporting's Ruben Amorim is closing in on becoming United's sixth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson after agreeing to replace Ten Hag.
The Red Devils sacked Ten Hag a day after his parting words at West Ham and rapidly identified the 39-year-old as their preferred successor.
Ten Hag didn't have a single natural left-back at his disposal for most of last term and the whole of this season, with Tyrell Malacia's spell on the sidelines almost hitting the 18-month mark.
One of Amorim's priority transfer targets, which should be pursued in January, must be a left-back to solve a crisis that has damaged United for years.
