Ahead of the 2016/17 Premier League we look at players whose absence last season had an impact on their teams, and how their return could improve the fortunes of the teams they play for in the new campaign.
Luke Shaw
One of the standout performers in Manchester United's bright start to the 2015/16 campaign, Luke Shaw's absence after suffering a double fracture of the right leg in his side's UEFA Champions League group stage defeat to PSV Eindhoven in September came as a blow to club and player alike.
After five matches of what promised to be an impressive season for United, Shaw had excelled on the left side of defence as the Red Devils stormed into third place in the Premier League with 10 points.
Man Utd's 2015/16 record with & without Shaw
| With Shaw | Without Shaw | |
| 5 | Matches | 33 |
| 3 | Wins | 16 |
| 60% | Win % | 48.5% |
| 2 | Points per match | 1.7 |
The 20-year-old, in his second season at Old Trafford having moved from Southampton in the summer of 2014, helped United concede only three goals in 450 minutes of action before catastrophe struck in Europe.
In the wake of Shaw's injury, the Red Devils' win percentage fell from 60% to 48.5%, with their points-per-match ratio decreasing from 2 to 1.7. Louis van Gaal's team also lost an important component of their offensive armoury as Shaw is as effective at marauding forward as he is thwarting attacks down his flank.
The England international was one of the most aggressive defenders in the league through the opening weeks of the campaign, supplying 13 crosses from open play and assisting one of his team's six goals during that time.
Crosses by Man Utd players (8 Aug - 12 Sept)
| Matches played (min. 5) | Open-play crosses | Open-play assists | |
| Memphis | 5 | 21 | 0 |
| Shaw | 5 | 13 | 1 |
| Darmian | 5 | 8 | 0 |
| Mata | 5 | 5 | 1 |
| Blind | 5 | 4 | 0 |
With Mourinho set to guide United into 2016/17 and beyond, the Portuguese coach will no doubt be eyeing the recovered Shaw for a starting spot come August.
