Manchester United’s deal with Marcos Rojo in limbo as Luke Shaw fitness again called into question

MANCHESTER United recruit Marcos Rojo will not be featuring in the club’s clash with Burnley this weekend. In fact - he may never complete his move.

(Files) In this file picture taken on July 9, 2014, Argentina's defender Marcos Rojo reacts during the second half of extra time during the semi-final football match between Netherlands and Argentina at the FIFA World Cup in Sao Paulo. Manchester United completed the 20 million euro signing of Argentina World Cup defender Marcos Rojo from Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday, August 20, 2014, with Old Trafford boss Louis van Gaal hailing the 24-year-old as a "gifted" player. Rojo signed a five-year contract after impressing during the World Cup where he helped Argentina to reach the final. AFP PHOTO / FABRICE COFFRINI

MANCHESTER United recruit Marcos Rojo will not be featuring in the club’s Premier League clash with Burnley this weekend.

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In fact - he may never complete his move from Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon.

The Sun is reporting the 24-year-old Argentine defender is not only having trouble obtaining a work permit in England but is also encountering major problems with his third-party ownership.

Neither United or Sporting currently hold his registration, with the Premier League yet to sign on the proposed move.

Rojo has 75 per cent of his economic rights owned by Doyen Sports Investments and it’s an arrangement that doesn’;t sit comfortably with the Premier League.

MArcos Rojo unveiled as United player earlier this month.

“When our clubs enter into negotiations to sign players from countries where the practice is permitted we work with them to make sure any third parties are bought out,” a spokesman confirmed.

“This has to take place before a player can be registered to play.”

Doyen are involved in a public row with the Portuguese club over Rojo, which may well end up in court, and until that is resolved the Argentine’s future is in limbo.

Luke Shaw continues to come under fire for his fitness levels.

And all this on the same day as a dispute broke out between United manager Louis Van Gaal and England boss Roy Hogdson over another young defender - this time Luke Shaw.

Van Gaal blasted Hodgson after he questioned the fitness of the former Southampton fullback.

Shaw has endured a difficult start to life at Old Trafford. Van Gaal made the 19-year-old train on his own during the tour of the United States because he felt the defender had turned up to pre-season out of shape after playing for England at the World Cup.

However, the Dutchman was happy with the way Shaw battled his way back to full fitness, and had it not been for a hamstring injury he picked up just before the start of the season, the England left-back would have played in the club’s opening two Premier League games.

Given that Shaw has been out for a fortnight, it was a surprise to Van Gaal when Hodgson spoke about the defender’s fitness this week.

“If Louis thinks that he can get him fitter then I’m sure he will certainly have our approval,” said Hodgson, who also claimed he told the player his fitness was not up to scratch at the World Cup.

The comments irked Van Gaal, who told the England boss not to get involved in United’s business.

“He is not fit now because he is injured,” Van Gaal said.

“Roy Hodgson cannot judge at this moment. He cannot judge him because I have never seen him here at a (United) training session.

“I think he is referring to the World Cup. It is possible, I don’t know. That is what I want to ask. But now Shaw is doing a great job.

“I have read nasty articles about Shaw.

“In the United States I said to him ‘you came and you were not fit’. “I changed his program and he did everything that he has to do to be fit.

“Now he is an example in the dressing room. He is training fantastically.”

Originally published as Manchester United’s deal with Marcos Rojo in limbo as Luke Shaw fitness again called into question