Luke Shaw singled out by Roy Keane after Manchester United defender 'throws the towel in' vs Man City | OneFootball

Man Utd defender was largely at fault for all three goals in the derby day loss against Man City

Roy Keane has singled out Luke Shaw for criticism following Manchester United’s defeat to Manchester City.

For Phil Foden’s 18th minute header, Shaw stood off Jeremy Doku which allowed the Man City winger to cross for the England international. Then in the second half he was outmuscled by Erling Haaland for the second goal.

To round off a disappointing performance, the 30-year-old lost the ball cheaply in the middle of the park and thus was out of position as Haaland raced through to add a third for the hosts.

Keane, on punditry duty for Sky Sports at the Etihad Stadium, was extremely critical of Shaw’s display.

He said: “We see Shaw for the first goal. Shaw is an international footballer, for him to get caught out like that [is not good].

“I think Shaw has been getting away with murder for years at United. Always injured, never quite fit and we make excuses for him.

“Then he gets a few games under his belt and he’s making decisions like he doesn’t want to tackle people.

“We looked at all the stats in the derby match, not one yellow card and we’re having the big build up, it’s raining and it’s set up for a few tackles to be flying in.

“You get beat and Man United walk off the pitch and not one yellow card.”

Struggle: Luke Shaw

Manchester United via Getty Imag

Speaking at half-time, Keane laid into Shaw, accusing the defender of “giving up” and “throwing in the towel” for the first goal.

He said: "Very good from City, Doku and Foden, timing is perfect. But United's defending... the two midfielders are too square and Shaw just gives up.

"It's a nice bit of skill [from Doku], but Shaw is an England international player with hundreds of games under his belt. He doesn't get his body position right.

“It's far too easy. It's like he's thrown the towel in. We know people can run off the back of Bruno Fernandes, that's been going on for years.

"But my goodness, even before that, you've got two midfielders that are too square. One pass takes them out. If one midfielder goes, the other just tucks in. Far too easy.

“United have got all the numbers back but Shaw just throws the towel in."