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Louis van Gaal has cleared PSV Eindhoven defender Hector Moreno of blame for the tackle that wrecked Luke Shaw’s season.

Moreno escaped punishment for the challenge that left Shaw with a horrific double leg break when Manchester United were beaten 2-1 by the Dutch side in a September Champions League game.

Van Gaal still insists United should have been given a penalty and that Mexican international Moreno deserved to see red.

But the manager said ahead of PSV’s visit to Old Trafford for Wednesday night's reverse fixture: “It was a reckless tackle, but I don’t think Hector Moreno did it on purpose.

In pictures — Luke Shaw breaks leg against PSV Eindhoven (GRAPHIC CONTENT):

“The purpose of the challenge was the ball and not the leg, but we have all seen the tackle and he didn’t just get the ball.

“That happens in football and it was very unfortunate for Luke Shaw.

“But the referee made a mistake. It had to be a penalty and a red card.

“These are the rules, so nobody can say to me it wasn’t a penalty or a lousy tackle. It was a lousy tackle. But the purpose of it was for the ball.”

Moreno, who scored PSV’s equaliser as the Eredivisie champions came from behind to win the opening group game, has a reputation for committing X-rated tackles.

How Champions League Group B stands

P W D L GF GA GD Pts Manchester United 4 2 1 1 5 4 +1 7 PSV Eindhoven 4 2 0 2 6 6 0 6 Wolfsburg 4 2 0 2 4 4 0 6 CSKA Moscow 4 1 1 2 4 5 -1 4

He broke down in tears when he visited Shaw in hospital to apologise.

The England left-back accepted his remorse was genuine, but the 27-year-old will get a rough reception from the Old Trafford fans.

Van Gaal added: “I cannot say what will happen, but until this moment the fans of Manchester United have always shown a special character.

“They always support the team, so I don’t know about Moreno.

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“Luke has shown a fantastic and very positive attitude to Moreno and he is right to do that.

“But everything went against us that night. There was no penalty, no red card and so it affected the game a lot. Moreno then scored the equaliser.”

Shaw is expected to play again this season – putting himself in the frame for a place in England’s Euro 2016 squad.

But Van Gaal admitted he will look for a new left-back in the New Year — Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez is the latest player to be scouted.

Van Gaal said: “I was convinced Shaw would have a very good season. Because of that I didn’t buy a second player for left-back because I thought he would play more or less every game.

"Maybe now we have to buy a left-back.”