LONDON (AFP) - Manchester United defender Luke Shaw returned to training on Monday for the first time since suffering a horrendous double fracture in his leg last September.

England international Shaw, 20, was training with a United physio as he enters the final stages of a long rehabilitation period from the injury he sustained in a Champions League tie against PSV Eindhoven.

Shaw's appearance at training was confirmed by United team-mate Juan Mata, who uploaded a picture of the pair on Instagram with the caption: "My friend @lukeshaw23 just came in from running out on the pitch! Getting closer"

United manager Louis van Gaal recently confirmed Shaw would be back on the training pitch this week, though he also suggested that it was unlikely he would feature again before a campaign that could conclude with an FA Cup final at Wembley on May 21.

Nine days before that showpiece game Roy Hodgson is set to name his England squad for Euro 2016, which means Shaw may miss out on the tournament in France too.

"Luke Shaw shall start next week the first training sessions on the pitch," Van Gaal said on Friday.

"It was always in the gym, on the treadmill, in the swimming pool and so on, but now he can train for the first time with his bodyweight on the pitch, so it is going great for Luke Shaw.

"But, also, it shall be very difficult for him to play the final of the FA Cup."