Luke Shaw has admitted that Manchester United did not prepare well enough for their shock opening-day defeat at Hull City in the Premier League. The Red Devils began the season with a 2-0 loss at newly-promoted Hull, with goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy piling early pressure on manager Michael Carrick.
Shaw: Preparation was not good enough
Shaw described the result and performance as 'disappointing' and suggested that preparation was lacking. 'Disappointing, I think we knew Hull's strengths,' Shaw told Stan Sports. 'Set-plays and wide positions and crosses into the box. At times we did defend well, but the goals, set-plays, not good enough. We knew they were going to be good from set-plays and ultimately it's cost us the three points today.'
'Really disappointing. It's not us and we knew it was coming. I think as a whole, as a group, collectively, we could prepare better. Especially knowing how good they are at set-plays and what their dangers are. I think also going forward we were lacking that cutting edge today to score the goals and try to fight our way back into the game.'
No excuses for United
The England international made it clear that this is the kind of game the Red Devils should be winning as they look to challenge at the top end of the table. 'No excuses at all in this game, but it's the start of the season and maybe players are finding form a little bit,' he said. 'But no way is that an excuse, Manchester United should be coming to Hull and no disrespect to them, but we should be winning the game.'
Hull's two goals both came from set-plays, with the ball falling to Ajayi after an Oli McBurnie effort was saved by Senne Lammens from a corner. The second goal came as Mendy headed in a dangerous free-kick cross from Regan Slater, with Shaw coming in for criticism from Wayne Rooney for his 'schoolboy' defending.
Fernandes and Carrick react
A frustrated Bruno Fernandes told TNT Sports: 'It was the same mistakes we made last season, every away game we give too much of the ball to the opponent. In the first 20 minutes, their goalkeeper was the one with the most touches. We needed to press more, be more aggressive, and then again we need to work on set-plays and not concede these type of goals. Against these types of teams, they are waiting for that moment. We knew before the game set-pieces would be a big part of their game.'
Manager Carrick tried to be more positive, adding: 'We did some good things today and it will get lost. We have to find answers but because we lose one game, it doesn't mean everything needs dissecting.' Manchester United return to action against another newly-promoted team, Ipswich Town, on Sunday August 30.
