Luke Shaw believes Manchester United’s recent victories over their top-six rivals have been rendered “pointless” by an inability to beat teams further down the Premier League pecking order.

The Red Devils enjoyed successes against Tottenham and Manchester City earlier this month but followed that up by drawing at home to Everton and then slumping to a miserable 2-0 defeat at bottom club Watford on Sunday.

The loss at Vicarage Road leaves United seven points adrift of the top four heading into the Christmas period.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have struggled against opponents who sit deep, winning just one of the last 17 games when they have enjoyed more possession.

In-form Newcastle, who beat United 1-0 at St James’ Park earlier in the season, are the visitors to Old Trafford on Boxing Day and Shaw is calling for improvement ahead of the game.

Ratings: Watford vs United Show all 22 1 /22 Ratings: Watford vs United Ratings: Watford vs United Ben Foster - 8 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Ben Foster of Watford warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Watford FC and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on December 07, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Adrian Mariappa - 6 Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (L) vies with Watford's English-born Jamaican defender Adrian Mariappa (R) during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on December 22, 2019. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Christian Kabasele - 6 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United misses a chance as he is challenged by Christian Kabasele of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Craig Cathcart - 6 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United is challenged by Craig Cathcart of Watford in the area during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Kiko Femenia - 7 WATFORD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Kiko Femenia of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Burnley FC at Vicarage Road on November 23, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Etienne Capoue - 7 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Etienne Capoue of Watford is shown a yellow card by referee Lee Mason during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Will Hughes - 6 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Will Hughes of Watford battles for possession with Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Ismaila Sarr - 8 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Ismaila Sarr of Watford is challenged by Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Abdoulaye Doucoure - 7 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford battles for possession with Scott McTominay of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Gerard Deulofeu - 8 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 07: Gerard Deulofeu of Watford looks on during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road on December 07, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Troy Deeney - 8 Watford's English striker Troy Deeney (L) vies with Manchester United's English midfielder Scott McTominay (R) during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on December 22, 2019. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United David de Gea - 3 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: David de Gea of Manchester United in action during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) Manchester United via Getty Imag Ratings: Watford vs United Aaron Wan-Bissak - 5 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Manchester United battles for possession with Troy Deeney of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Victor Lindelof - 6 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Victor Lindelof of Manchester United arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) Manchester United via Getty Imag Ratings: Watford vs United Harry Maguire - 6 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Harry Maguire of Manchester United arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) Manchester United via Getty Imag Ratings: Watford vs United Luke Shaw - 5 Manchester United's English defender Luke Shaw (R) vies with Watford's Senegalese midfielder Ismaila Sarr (L) during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on December 22, 2019. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Scott McTominay - 5 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Scott McTominay of Manchester United heads the ball before Abdoulaye Doucoure of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Fred - 6 Manchester United's Brazilian midfielder Fred slides off the pitch during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on December 22, 2019. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Daniel James - 5 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Daniel James of Manchester United in action with Kiko Femenia of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images) Manchester United via Getty Imag Ratings: Watford vs United Marcus Rashford - 5 Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (R) vies with Watford's English-born Jamaican defender Adrian Mariappa (L) during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on December 22, 2019. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Jesse Lingard - 6 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United battles for possession with Etienne Capoue of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Getty Images Ratings: Watford vs United Anthony Martial - 5 WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Anthony Martial of Manchester United shoots wide under pressure from Troy Deeney and Etienne Capoue of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Getty Images

“We need to be better and we know we need to be better,” he told manutd.com. “The wins against Spurs and City were great but now they seem pointless with the last two results we’ve had, because we need to be beating the teams below us as well. We haven’t done that. We will work on the training pitch and hopefully have a good Boxing Day.”

Watford took the lead as Ismaila Sarr’s tame effort slipped through the grasp of David De Gea, the United goalkeeper’s sixth error leading to a goal since the start of last season. But, after Troy Deeney’s penalty four minutes later secured a first home win of the campaign for the Hornets, Shaw backed his team-mate to bounce back immediately.

“Of course, it was a freak goal,” he added. “David has saved us so many times in so many different matches over the years he has been here. There is no way you can point any blame at him at all. He is a world-class goalkeeper and I am sure he will pick himself up.”

While United stew over a dismal display and unexpected defeat, Watford will be hoping the result – coming in Nigel Pearson’s first home game as head coach – can prove a catalyst to an unlikely survival bid.

Luke Shaw reacts during Manchester United’s defeat (PA)

Midfielder Will Hughes was one of the best players on the pitch on Sunday but warned it must not be a false dawn for Watford like their previous win, at fellow strugglers Norwich on November 8, proved to be.

“A few weeks ago we beat Norwich and we thought that was a start, and then we didn’t progress from then,” he said. “We need to knuckle down. It is just three points at the end of the day. We are still bottom of the league.

“We can’t take our foot off the pedal now because we have won one game – which we probably did against Norwich after beating them.

“It is frustrating how the season has gone so far, but we know what we are capable of against a good Manchester United side. We put in the work ethic and we got the rewards.”