Luke Shaw is in serious danger of missing the European Championship with England this summer after Manchester United said he would be out of action for “a few months” with a muscle injury.

Shaw is Gareth Southgate’s first-choice left-back and his absence would be a significant blow. The 28-year-old will do everything he can to give himself an opportunity of inclusion but his chances are understood to be rated as slim.

Left-back has been a problem position for Southgate, with his only other established specialist option being Chelsea’s Ben Chilwell. Southgate has also counted on the right-back Kieran Trippier there.

Shaw had to come off just before half-time on Sunday in the 2-1 victory at Luton, a match for which he had been a doubt. He had been substituted at the interval in the 2-1 win at Aston Villa a week earlier in what the manager, Erik ten Hag, said was a precautionary move.

In a statement on Wednesday evening United said: “Luke Shaw has sustained a muscle injury and will be out for an extended period. Further assessment is still required to determine the severity but we expect him to be absent for a few months.”

Shaw, who has made just 15 appearances in all competitions in an injury-interrupted season, had returned to action in January after a month out. His latest setback comes with his fellow United left-back Tyrell Malacia also out of action and with the club in January having opted to cut short Sergio Reguilón’s loan from Tottenham.