Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has undergone a second operation on his broken leg in Holland. The 20-year-old is now set to fly back to Manchester with staff at St Anna Ziekenhuis Hospital, on the outskirts of Eindhoven, being happy with his progress.

During Louis van Gaal’s press conference ahead of United’s trip to Southampton this weekend, he said the youngster is now in better spirits:

“His family is there, we have sent people with him and he will come back when he is prepared. Maybe tomorrow,” the United manager said.

“I called him last night; he sounds very strong, which was amazing for me – a big surprise.”

“It is a good signal, but he knows he has long way to go and it is not easy. He will have a long period of rehabilitation [when he is back] and he has a long way to go.”

“It is not only physical but mental,” Van Gaal said.

“For us it is a big loss, as a team. I said [in pre-season] this will be the season of Luke Shaw but now it is finished nearly.”

“He started so well, built up a left wing with [Memphis] Depay and Shaw, but we have to start filling it again and it is not easy.”

However, Van Gaal is confident that the team has cover in the left-back position – and will be able to cope without him.

“We have to cope with it but it is a big loss,” he said.

“It is not a problem but Shaw is the line-up player and it is very difficult to replace him when he is in such a good shape. In [Daley] Blind, [Marcos] Rojo and [Ashley] Young, we have good replacements.”

As for Luke Shaw himself, he posted a picture on Instagram with this as the caption:

“I just wanna say a massive thank you to everyone at St Anna hospital for all the care and attention they have given me the last few days, something I will never forget! Am pleased to be flying back to Manchester today so I can start my journey back onto the football pitch!”

[Quotes via Sky Sports and Instagram]