There’s no excuse for this, says Shaw

LUKE SHAW admitted that United could have no excuses after yesterday’s defeat. United have now lost 13 times before Christmas — their worst start since 1930 — after they failed to score for the fourth game in a row. It heaped more pressure on manager Erik ten Hag (left), and Shaw said: ‘This is Man United, one of the biggest clubs in the world. It’s not good enough. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror and question ourselves. It’s tough to think what’s going on. Maybe it could be a lack of confidence. It’s our job, we have to stay positive. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves.

‘No excuses. This is Man United and any player that steps out on that pitch has to be good enough to win. We can’t be making excuses, it’s not good enough. We keep losing games, losing points and making it hard for ourselves.’

West Ham’s win saw them leapfrog United in the table. Goalscorer Jarrod Bowen paid tribute to Lucas Paqueta for the assist for his goal, saying: ‘Look at that ball, it’s incredible.

‘He always tells me to keep running and it’s a moment of quality. We got that first goal and did well to get the second as well.

‘It’s probably the most open Premier League it’s been for a long time. We have Arsenal away next followed by Brighton at home. We have to go and beat these teams.

‘We’ve got five days until the (Arsenal) game. I don’t think you can fully enjoy Christmas because there’s always something in the back of your mind, but it puts you in a good mood.’

Manager David Moyes was delighted to see his side move into the top six at the end of a demanding week.

‘West Ham are not going to win all their games,’ said Moyes. ‘We’ve just lost the best player in England (Declan Rice) in the summer, and we’re in a healthy position.

‘We had three games in six days this week, it’s been a big ask. We take the result. The players will get turkey after training!’