'He was right' - Luke Shaw responds to Roy Keane's criticism of Manchester United form

Roy Keane said last week that Luke Shaw "just gave up" and has "got away with murder for years" at Man United.

Luke Shaw accepts Roy Keane's withering criticism of his performance in the derby but insists he deserves his place in the Manchester United side.

Keane scolded Shaw after United's 3-0 defeat to City last week, claiming he "gave up" for Phil Foden's opening goal before suggesting the defender "has been getting away with murder for years" at the club.

Shaw, 30, is into his 12th year at United and has started in all five of their Premier League games this term as the left-sided centre back in Ruben Amorim's back three.

Amorim billed Shaw as "world-class" during pre-season but the England international has endured an injury-plagued career at United since he joined the club from Southampton for £31million in 2014. Shaw started a meagre 27 games across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns.

Keane, who spent just over 12 years at United and won seven Premier League titles, has been vocal in his criticism as a pundit but was particularly scathing of Shaw at the Etihad.

"I think people have opinions," Shaw said. "Sometimes you just have to take it on the chin. He’s got a lot of experience, he was one of the best captains ever for Manchester United and, of course, it hurts. But for me criticism is part of being a football player. I listen to it but I think he was right.

"Last week, I wasn’t at my level at all and I don’t need Roy Keane to tell me. After the game, I knew that. But of course it hurts. The most important thing is knowing how good I can be and I think the manager knows that and the managers who I played under in the past know that.

"I’m always in the team, I’m always playing, so there must be something the managers [see and] must believe in me. I’m not getting any younger and I need to be consistent, I’ve had lots of ups and downs and it’s about keeping that consistently high level because I know I can do that.

"And that’s why last week hurt me a lot because I know that’s not my level and I think the criticism is completely understandable, I take it on the chin and listen to it and I move on."

United secured their second win of the season against Chelsea on Saturday. Both sides were reduced to ten men in the first half, with Chelsea 'keeper Robert Sanchez dismissed after five minutes.

United seemed set for a comfortable win until Casemiro was dismissed in added time of the first half and Trevoh Chalobah threatened a Chelsea comeback with an 80th-minute header.

Although the victory could have been more emphatic, Shaw was just relieved that United held on for three points. "Yeah, I think relief. I think it just shows how much in the second half we were just thinking about surviving and not losing the game and trying to do everything we can to win the game.

"And I think that’s where we sat off more. We weren’t proactive, weren’t aggressive, but I think that’s where we're at at the moment. We knew how important it was to win the game today, extremely important, and that’s where our mentality is at right now.

"We just thought about defending for our lives and making sure we won this game. There are things we can improve on but we have to be happy with the three points, that’s the most important thing."

Although United were reduced to defending their lead, they were dominant in an electric first half that Shaw insists has to be the benchmark for the rest of the season.

"I think it has to be the level," he agreed. "I think it was really important to start well today, start fast, bring the crowd with us, especially after a disappointing result last week.

"It was vital to start quick today and we did that and we forced them into the mistake and it’s about being more and more clinical in front of goal. There have been a lot of things we have done well not just today, but this whole season, and we just have to keep on pushing, keep on working hard in training and things will evolve."

Shaw expected Casemiro, the eldest player on the pitch, to be disappointed following his two yellow cards. "I’m sure he is," Shaw added. "He’s an extremely experienced player, I think he’ll be disappointed but it’s not individuals, it’s a team effort. I’ve not been in there since the final whistle, but I’m sure he’ll know."

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