We need thick skin with Jose
LUKE SHAW says Manchester United’s under-fire squad were stung by the latest broadside from Jose Mourinho but insists they will show their fighting qualities tonight.
The full-back was absent as a stuttering United failed to break down Crystal Palace in the 0-0 home draw on Saturday, leading manager Mourinho to accuse some players of “lacking heart”.
And while Shaw conceded recent results were not helping his side’s cause, he maintained there was a hunger in the dressing room to prove the manager wrong, starting with an Old Trafford victory against Young Boys in the Champions League.
He said: “Sometimes of course it may look like they lack hunger but I look around the changing room and training ground and I think everyone wants the same: to win games and climb up the table.
“Everyone has been disappointed, it was a massive game after the international break and we needed to get the win. It wasn’t to be but we need to fight for the club and the manager.
“Everyone in this changing room is a fighter and everyone wants the best for this team and the club. We all want to win trophies.
“But we need to take on board what was said and we have to fight. We are going through a bad stage at the moment but I know good things are coming our way.”
Victory would vanquish some of the gathering clouds around Old Trafford after Saturday’s underwhelming display. And it could see them ease into the knockout stages if Valencia fail to beat Juventus in Turin.
Europe has provided something of an outlet for United’s domestic frustrations – notably in a stirring 2-1 comeback victory against Juventus. However it has also served to highlight their inconsistency.
Shaw admitted it was hard to JUVENTUS MAN UTD VALENCIA YOUNG BOYS P W D L 4 3 0 1 4 2 1 1 4 1 2 1 4 0 1 3 F 7 5 4 2 A PTS 2 9 2 7 4 5 10 1