DON’T LOSE
United left-back warns
WEST HAM v MANCHESTER UTD
LUKE SHAW says Manchester United are fuming that the Champions League race is in danger of going to the wire. Coming into the weekend Erik ten Hag’s men were still favourites to claim a top-four place ahead of rivals Liverpool as they held a four-point lead over them, having played one game less.
Yet had they not dropped from the last nine available, the Old Trafford giants would be travelling to West Ham this afternoon with qualification for Europe’s elite competition next term already signed and sealed.
England defender Shaw, whose handball gave away a last-gasp penalty in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat at Brighton, admits there is a deep sense of frustration inside the dressing room as they splutter towards the finishing line.
United also ended up with a draw at Tottenham 10 days ago after blowing an early two-goal lead in North London.
And Shaw claims they have only themselves to blame for leaving the door ajar for Jurgen Klopp’s in-form Merseysiders.
The left-back, 27, said: “We have to be honest. I think that’s even more disappointing. It was extremely comfortable for us at one point.
“But the way we have been playing and the results we have had, we’ve now got dragged back into a fight that we didn’t want to be in.
“We have to refocus.we have to get ready becausewest Ham are fighting for their lives. It’s a massive game.”
Shaw was the first to admit his moment of madness at the Amex Stadium, as he raised an arm to divert a ball from a corner, was inexplicable and unforgivable in the circumstances.
The ex-southampton man added: “It’s deflated in there and everyone knows how I feel. I’m disappointed with myself because I’ve cost us a
point. It’s still in our hands, with our lead and game in hand. But we have got to move on from this.
“The games we’ve got are against teams fighting for their lives. It’s not easy. But we need points and quick. We have to start that on Sunday.”
The Hammers, despite hovering just above the drop zone, are on a decent run at the London Stadium – and recently held then-league leaders Arsenal to a 2-2 draw.
Shaw is under no illusions regarding the task awaiting the visitors. He said: “They’re a team with really good players.
“We know how good their crowd is and, with the situation they’re in, they’ll be fired up and will get the team fired up.
“That’s the occasion we have to be ready for.”
Ten Hag shared that view following the Brighton reverse, where emotions in a feisty battle on the south coast may have contributed in part to United’s downfall.
Shaw, one of four United players booked on the night, flipped his lid with referee
Andre Marriner when shown a yellow for conceding a soft free-kick in the dying stages.
Seconds later came his bizarre handball.
Which is why United boss
Ten Hag wants to see greater self-control from his team in the heat of battle while maintaining their essential, ferocious will to win.
The Dutchman said: “Yes, we have to keep our heads clear but also I demand this passion from my players.
“You need that and it brought us to where we are now.”