Luke Shaw has criticised Manchester United's performance in their opening day defeat to Hull City, insisting the squad did not prepare well enough and that there are "no excuses" for the loss.
The Red Devils were beaten 2-0 at the KCOM Stadium on Saturday, with first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy securing victory for the hosts. Shaw, speaking to Stan Sports, said United knew Hull's strengths from set plays and wide positions but still failed to deal with them.
Shaw admits preparation failings
"Disappointing, I think we knew Hull's strengths. Set-plays and wide positions and crosses into the box," Shaw said. "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."
He added: "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."
Rooney criticises Shaw defending
Shaw also dismissed any suggestion that early-season fitness was an excuse. "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."
Former United striker Wayne Rooney was among those to criticise Shaw's defending, telling Match of the Day: "Now [Mohamed] Belloumi comes and gets on the ball, Tielemans - who's probably fed up, he's seen the ball going from side to side, get headed out, not pick up second balls - gives away a free-kick, which leads to the second goal. And this is schoolboy defending from Shaw."
Rooney added: "United have a good line, and Hull have been waiting for this all day. Shaw drops in, he's five yards behind his back line, and if this ball is good enough - which it was - it's impossible to stop. So Hull had a game plan: get the ball in the box and pick up second balls, and Man United found it really difficult."
Next test for United
United will look to bounce back next weekend when they face another newly promoted side, Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys began their campaign with a late victory over Sunderland.
