LUKE SHAW was still in tears on Wednesday as he began his recovery from a double leg break that left his former manager Mauricio Pochettino "sick".
Shaw suffered a fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg after a late challenge from Hector Moreno during Manchester United's 2-1 defeat to PSV. After receiving eight minutes' treatment, Shaw was carried off the pitch at the Philips Stadion while receiving oxygen.
The defender was taken to the St Anna Ziekenhuis hospital on the outskirts of Eindhoven, where he had an operation on Tuesday night. He stayed there overnight and the day after the match, United announced their left-back would remain at the hospital "to continue his early recovery".
Shaw received a visit from United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward at the hospital shortly before he and the rest of the squad flew back to England on Wednesday afternoon. And the former Southampton defender also received a phone call from his old Saints boss Pochettino, who was distressed by the injury.
"I spoke with him this morning," said Pochettino, who left Southampton for Tottenham in the summer.
"He's much better today, but it is always difficult when you have that type of injury. I gave my support and wish him a speedy recovery."
When asked what Shaw said to him, Pochettino added: "It's difficult because he was crying.
"You can understand that after the big injury. Not only for the pain, but everything around the situation. I feel very sorry for him. It was a big impact for me and I watched the moment it happened. I was sick after the action. My relationship with him was close and it is difficult."
In the 15th minute of the Champions League group stage match, Moreno slid in from behind on Shaw with both feet, trapping the left-back's right foot, which bent at an angle. Incredibly, the Mexican was not punished for the challenge, which occurred in the home box, and Uefa confirmed on Wednesday it could not take any retrospective action because referee Nicola Rizzoli had seen the incident and did not view it as a foul.
Moreno still apologised for the tackle after the match: "I feel really sorry," the PSV defender said.
"I just feel really bad because I was involved in the accident."
However, Moreno - who suffered a fractured tibia himself during last year's World Cup match between Holland and Mexico - insists he should not have been penalised for the tackle.
Moreno said: "I think I played the ball, but in this kind of situation I don't care if it was a foul, I feel bad for him and for his family.
"I don't know how bad it is, but I had, myself, a situation like that during the World Cup and it's bad. I hope he will be back as soon as possible."
Louis van Gaal claimed Shaw, who has been one of United's best players so far this season, could play again this term.
"I am not a doctor, so I cannot say that, but when you have a double leg fracture it is six months," the United manager said.
"He will not play in the group phase, but I hope he can play again this season."
Wayne Rooney, Michael Carrick, Memphis Depay and David de Gea - among others - rallied round Shaw with messages of support via social media.
Rooney, who missed the trip to Eindhoven because of a hamstring injury, posted on Instagram: "Gutted for my teammate lukeshaw23. Wishing you a speedy recovery mate, keep positive!"
Daley Blind admitted he and his United team-mates were shocked by the gruesome injury, but said they should not use that as an excuse for the defeat, which put PSV joint top of Group B along with Wolfsburg, who beat CSKA Moscow 1-0.
"It's something you may not actually be influenced by at that time," the United defender said.
"But you can be unaware, perhaps in your head, that you subconsciously sympathise with him. But it's a defeat and saying this should not pass the buck."
