Luke Shaw has hit back at Roy Keane after the Manchester United legend savaged his performance in the derby humiliation against City. The England defender admitted Keane’s stinging words cut deep but insisted he does not need anyone to tell him when he has played badly.
United were battered 3-0 at the Etihad with Shaw heavily criticised. Keane accused him of giving up when Jeremy Doku skipped past him to tee up Phil Foden for the opener. Shaw was also caught out as Erling Haaland helped himself to two more goals.
Keane did not hold back as he tore into the left back, claiming: “He has been getting away with murder for years at United. Always injured, never fully fit, and then he puts in performances where he looks like he does not even want to tackle.”
It was a public dressing down from one of the club’s fiercest captains and Shaw admitted the attack struck a nerve. Speaking after United scraped a 2-1 win over Chelsea at Old Trafford he said: “Of course it hurts. He has got a lot of experience. He was one of the best captains ever for United.
“Sometimes you just have to take it on the chin. Criticism is part of being a footballer. I listen to it. But last week I was not at my level at all. I do not need Roy Keane to tell me that. I knew it straight after the game.”
Shaw stressed that his managers past and present know his true value and still put faith in him despite his inconsistency. He added: “I am not getting any younger now. I need to be consistent. I have had ups and downs but it is about staying at a high level because I know I can. That is why last week hurt. It was not my level.”
United’s response against Chelsea was scrappy but vital. Both sides had a man sent off before half time with Casemiro and keeper Robert Sanchez dismissed. United went two goals ahead but were clinging on in a frantic finish.
Shaw admitted survival was the mindset in the second half. “We were just thinking about doing everything to win. That is the mentality right now. Defend for our lives and make sure we get the result.
“I have been here a long time. Results bring happiness and confidence in the dressing room and on the training ground. That is what we need week in week out. It is about how we react after defeats. Today I felt like we were going to win. We need to feel like that every game.”
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