By Neil Docking,Samuel Luckhurst

Copyright dailystar

Luke Shaw has acknowledged Roy Keane’s scathing critique of his derby display while maintaining he merits his spot in the Manchester United team. Red Devils legend Keane lambasted Shaw following United’s 3-0 thrashing by Manchester City last week, alleging he “gave up” during Phil Foden’s opener before suggesting the defender “has been getting away with murder for years” at the club. Shaw, 30, is now in his 12th season at United and has featured in all five of their Premier League matches this term as the left-sided centre-back in Ruben Amorim’s three-man defence. Amorim described Shaw as “world-class” during pre-season, though the England international has suffered a career plagued by injuries at United since arriving from Southampton for £31million in 2014. Shaw managed just 27 starts across the 2023-24 and 2024-25 campaigns combined. Keane, who spent over 12 years at United and secured seven Premier League titles, has been outspoken in his Sky Sports punditry role but was especially harsh on Shaw at the Etihad, reports the Manchester Evening News . After the derby, he said: “I think Shaw has been getting away with murder for years at United. Always injured, never quite fit, we make excuses… then he gets a few games under his belt and he’s making decisions like he doesn’t even want to tackle people.” Responding to the comments, Shaw said: “I think people have opinions. Sometimes you just have to take it on the chin. He’s got a lot of experience, he was one of the best captains ever for Manchester United and, of course, it hurts. But for me criticism is part of being a football player. I listen to it but I think he was right. “Last week, I wasn’t at my level at all and I don’t need Roy Keane to tell me. After the game, I knew that. But of course it hurts. The most important thing is knowing how good I can be and I think the manager knows that and the managers who I played under in the past know that. “I’m always in the team, I’m always playing, so there must be something the managers [see and] must believe in me. I’m not getting any younger and I need to be consistent, I’ve had lots of ups and downs and it’s about keeping that consistently high level because I know I can do that. “And that’s why last week hurt me a lot because I know that’s not my level and I think the criticism is completely understandable, I take it on the chin and listen to it and I move on.” United claimed their second victory of the campaign against Chelsea on Saturday. Both teams were reduced to ten men during the opening period, with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez sent off after just five minutes. United appeared destined for a straightforward victory until Casemiro received his marching orders in first-half stoppage time, and Trevoh Chalobah nearly sparked a Chelsea fightback with his 80th-minute header. Despite the triumph potentially being more convincing, Shaw was simply grateful that United managed to cling on for the three points. He said: “Yeah, I think relief. I think it just shows how much in the second half we were just thinking about surviving and not losing the game and trying to do everything we can to win the game. “And I think that’s where we sat off more. We weren’t proactive, weren’t aggressive, but I think that’s where we’re at at the moment. We knew how important it was to win the game today, extremely important, and that’s where our mentality is at right now. “We just thought about defending for our lives and making sure we won this game. There are things we can improve on but we have to be happy with the three points, that’s the most important thing.” Despite United being forced into a defensive approach to protect their advantage, they had controlled proceedings during an electrifying opening 45 minutes that Shaw believes must set the standard for the remainder of the campaign. The England defender said: “I think it has to be the level. I think it was really important to start well today, start fast, bring the crowd with us, especially after a disappointing result last week. “It was vital to start quick today and we did that and we forced them into the mistake and it’s about being more and more clinical in front of goal. There have been a lot of things we have done well not just today, but this whole season, and we just have to keep on pushing, keep on working hard in training and things will evolve.” Shaw anticipated that Casemiro, the most senior player on the field, would be gutted after receiving his double booking. He said: “I’m sure he is. He’s an extremely experienced player, I think he’ll be disappointed but it’s not individuals, it’s a team effort. I’ve not been in there since the final whistle, but I’m sure he’ll know.”