Luke Shaw has received sympathy from Theo Walcott following Roy Keane's stinging criticism of the Manchester United defender in the wake of the derby loss to City
Roy Keane
Roy Keane slammed Luke Shaw after the Manchester derby
(Image: PA)
Theo Walcott says wily attackers will continue to play on Luke Shaw’s weaknesses after Roy Keane ripped into the struggling Manchester United star. Shaw and his team-mates endured a nightmare Manchester derby on Sunday as City cantered to a 3-0 win.
Left-back Shaw, operating as a left-sided central defender, was outstripped by Jeremy Doku and then failed to pick up Phil Foden, who nodded home the first goal. The England defender was then easily held off by Erling Haaland for the second goal.
Shaw came in for scathing criticism from Keane, who said the 30-year-old had been “getting away with murder for years” and called out his fitness record. The Old Trafford great fumed: "Shaw, for the first goal. So Shaw is an international footballer. For him to get caught out like that…
“I think Shaw has been getting away with murder for years at United. Always injured, never quite fit. We make excuses and then he gets a few games under his belt and then he's making decisions like he doesn't even want to tackle people.”
Former Arsenal forward Walcott was more sympathetic to Shaw’s plight, insisting he will keep being exploited by top strikers like Haaland if he is played out of position. He instead questioned Ruben Amorim’s tactics, which he believes have left players like Shaw lost.
Luke Shaw and Erling Haaland during the Manchester derby
Shaw couldn't contain Erling Haaland, who scored twice in the Manchester derby
(Image: SmartFrame/Manchester City FC)
Walcott told the It’s Called Soccer!: “When I look at someone like Luke Shaw, who’s an outstanding full-back… I’ve played against this man, he’s an England international for a reason, one of the best full-backs I’ve ever played against, and I’ve played against your Ashley Coles, your [Patrice] Evras. He’s up there physically because he knows what he’s doing at left-back because he’s played there for so many years.
“[When] You put him at centre-half, smart players like Erling Haaland are going to play on that weakness. And there’s weaknesses all around there, players that aren’t comfortable and aren’t aware of their surroundings.
“They’re second to everything, there’s a delay in everything because they’re unsure. I would be as well.”
Ruben Amorim and his Manchester United players following the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City
Ruben Amorim is under mounting pressure following the derby defeat to Manchester City
(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
However, having backed him heavily in the transfer market, Walcott believes United must stick with Amorim for now. He added: “For me, it doesn’t work but they have to stick with him because they’ve gone this far, that’s the problem.”
Amorim, who are 14th after winning just one of their opening four games, face another tough challenge when they host Chelsea on Saturday evening.
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