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THE HORROR TACKLE . . . Manchester United defender Luke Shaw had burst past two PSV Eindhoven defenders and into the penalty box when he was caught by PSV defender Hector Moreno in their Champions League tie on Tuesday night. -—AFP

LONDON. — Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is facing six months out of action after surgery on his broken leg on Tuesday night. Shaw suffered a double fracture of his right leg after PSV Eindhoven defender Hector Moreno’s “very bad tackle” in Tuesday’s Champions League game.

The England international had his operation at the Saint Anna Ziekenhuis hospital in Eindhoven shortly after the game and medical staff are optimistic that he will miss only six months.

A Manchester United spokesperson said: “Luke underwent surgery for his injury last night and will remain in hospital in Eindhoven to continue his early recovery.

“Manchester United are grateful for the excellent care he is receiving and would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of support.

“A further update will be provided in due course.”

Shaw is believed to have suffered a “clean break” and there is even a slight chance he could return sooner but the loss of the 20-year-old is still a huge blow to club and country.

He required oxygen and was treated on the pitch for ten minutes after Moreno’s challenge, with United manager Louis van Gaal admitting the left-back was in tears in the dressing room.

After a difficult first season at Old Trafford Shaw has performed impressively this campaign and started all of United’s eight games.

On Tuesday night he tweeted: “Thank you everyone for your messages , words can’t describe how gutted I am , my road to recovery starts now, I will come back stronger.”

Earlier, PSV Eindhoven defender Hector Moreno apologised to Shaw for his tackle which caused the injury.

Moreno, who suffered a broken leg while playing for Mexico against Van Gaal’s Holland at last year’s World Cup, insisted, however, that Shaw’s injury was an accident.

“I don’t know what happened, I don’t remember,” Moreno said. “I just feel really bad because I was involved in the accident. I feel really sorry.” — AFP.