Shaw hits out at ‘awful’ Man Utd despite victory over Milan

Joe Williams
Luke Shaw Man Utd
Luke Shaw Man Utd

Man Utd defender Luke Shaw has described their first-half performance as “awful” after beating AC Milan 1-0 to move into the Europa League quarter-finals.

The Red Devils went in at half-time 0-0 on Thursday night with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knowing his side needed a goal to avoid elimination in the last-16.

The Norwegian sent on Paul Pogba, who was returning from injury after 40 days out, for the second half and the Frenchman made an instant impact by scoring shortly after the break.


BIG WEEKEND: Leicester v Manchester United, Stones, Mourinho


That goal was enough to see Man Utd hold out for a 2-1 aggregate victory over the Italian outfit and keep their hopes of European silverware alive.

“Obviously, we’re very happy we’re through,” Shaw said. “I’ll be honest, and the lads and staff would agree, we weren’t good at all especially first half we were awful.

“The first 10-15 minutes, we started well, kept control of the ball but it was like a switch – we turned off, kept giving away balls, bringing pressure on ourselves and we were lucky.

“Second half it always helps to have a world class player like Paul (Pogba) to make a difference and he did that.

“But we know we need to be better than tonight. Obviously AC Milan are a top side, we knew it would be hard especially coming here.

“The result was in our favour. It’s a very good win and the positive is that we are through, we have players coming back and the squad looks better.

“It’s good times now and hopefully we can push on it’s a very important one on the weekend.”

 

Speaking before the match, Owen Hargreaves praised Shaw on BT Sport, he said: “He’s earned the shirt, right now. He’s the best left-back in the country.

“Last year it was Andy Robertson, now it’s Luke Shaw. If he’s fit and healthy, he’s one of the best he’s proved that.

“It’s been Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes, rotating the player of the months roles.

“He’s been magnificent. When Bruno Fernandes has had a quiet day, he (Shaw) has stepped up.

“In the last six weeks he’s been fantastic. Luke on that left hand side has been fantastic in terms of creating more than anyone apart from Bruno Fernandes.”