Man Utd star Luke Shaw makes concerning admission after Hull defeat - ‘No excuses'

Luke Shaw has claimed that Manchester United did not prepare well enough ahead of their opening day defeat against Hull. The Red Devils slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the KCOM on Saturday, first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy securing victory for the hosts.

Long-serving defender Shaw has since spoken out and claimed that United’s failure to defend from set pieces and to prepare properly ended up costing them.

Speaking to Stan Sports, the left-back said: “Disappointing, I think we knew Hull’s strengths. Set-plays and wide positions and crosses into the box.

“At times we did defend well, but the goals, set-plays, not good enough. We knew they were going to be good from set-plays and ultimately it’s cost us the three points today.

“Really disappointing. It’s not us and we knew it was coming. I think as a whole, as a group, collectively, we could prepare better. Especially knowing how good they are at set-plays and what their dangers are.

“I think also going forward we were lacking that cutting edge today to score the goals and try to fight our way back into the game.”

“No excuses at all in this game, but it’s the start of the season and maybe players are finding form a little bit,” he added. “But no way is that an excuse, Manchester United should be coming to Hull and no disrespect to them, but we should be winning the game.”

Shaw has been the target of serious criticism from former United star Wayne Rooney , who claimed that his efforts to defend were that of a schoolboy.

Speaking on Match of the Day, Rooney said: "Now [Mohamed] Belloumi comes and gets on the ball, Tielemans - who's probably fed up, he's seen the ball going from side to side, get headed out, not pick up second balls - gives away a free-kick, which leads to the second goal. And this is schoolboy defending from Shaw.

"United have a good line, and Hull have been waiting for this all day. Shaw drops in, he's five yards behind his back line, and if this ball is good enough - which it was - it's impossible to stop. So Hull had a game plan: get the ball in the box and pick up second balls, and Man United found it really difficult."

Shaw and United will hope for better luck next weekend as they take on another newly-promoted side in the form of Ipswich. The Tractor Boys kicked off their campaign in style with a late victory over Sunderland .