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Luke Shaw has confessed Manchester United’s stars have betrayed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the fans this season.

And the 24-year-old defender insists they can’t keep letting down their Norwegian boss as he fights for his Old Trafford future with Mauricio Pochettino , former Juventus boss Max Allegri and PSG’s Thomas Tuchel all on United’s radar.

United head to Chelsea tomorrow with Shaw acknowledging he and the rest of the squad have hung Solskjaer out to dry with woeful results which have left them languishing near mid-table.

Shaw said: “We’re all aware how the manager has tried to take the criticism on himself this season.

“We admire him for that, but there does come a time as a player when you have to look at yourself and realise that it’s all on you.

“The manager can’t keep defending us and taking the criticism.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

“It’s up to us now – we’re the ones who need to shoulder the blame and start performing on the pitch.

“Ole is different to managers I’ve played for in the past at United who have not been slow in criticising us.

“Every manager has their own way of doing things and as a professional you just have to accept that they believe that the best way to be successful is their way.

“In the dressing room he always lets us know if we aren’t doing the thing he expects from us.

“But there isn’t a lot he can do once we go out onto the pitch. Then it is down to us.

“Ole can only do so much to prepare us but once the whistle goes then it’s up to us to prove we deserve to be Manchester United players.

“We’re all here because the manager believes in us and it is disappointing there have been times this season when we’ve let down him, ourselves and the United fans.

“We know we’re much better than our results suggest.

“The good thing is we’ve still got a lot to play for, with top four and two cup competitions, so there is time to put it right.

“Playing Chelsea is a good place to start.”

United certainly need fighters now, and Shaw is that.

But he’s also the poster boy for all that’s gone wrong with Manchester United since their glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson.

(Image: PA) (Image: REUTERS)

From injuries to inconsistency, to form and fitness issues, failing to kick on and infamous spats with Jose Mourinho – Shaw’s turbulent career has perfectly mirrored Old Trafford’s troubles the last six years.

And as if tackling Chelsea wasn’t hard enough, he faces another battle – from 19-year-old left-back Brandon Williams and the constant pressure of proving himself time and again following his horror leg break in 2015.

He admitted: “I’ve had to have a thick skin.

“Sometimes it’s easy for people to forget what I’ve actually been through” he says.

“You need to have a thick skin to play football anywhere, but especially at the biggest club in the world here at United.

“Everyone’s watching and wants to have a go whenever you lose.

“They’re just waiting to criticise the moment anything goes wrong but that’s part and parcel of playing for United.

“No disrespect to Arsenal who are a fantastic club, but they’re not exactly having the greatest of seasons and it’s hardly mentioned.

“I find it quite funny that if it’s United, everyone criticises, but Arsenal don’t get a mention.

“Look, we know when we haven’t been good enough and at times we haven’t been. We all know why we’re here.

“We’re here to take this club back to where it belongs – winning trophies and challenging for titles. And I honestly believe we’re on the way towards doing so.

(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)

“We know when we’re not at our best and we know when we play well what we can achieve – but we have to sustain it that’s why I believe there are a lot of good days to come.

“As for Brandon, I relish the challenge from him 100 per cent. In the past people have come in at left back who have maybe been switched from other positions.

“Since I’ve been here that hasn’t really been that much competition. Now there is and that’s good for me, not just the club.

“We don’t kid ourselves that it’s been a good season so far, but at the same time we really do believe the potential is there to become a top team.

“It might look like we are taking one step forward and one step back, but we are developing as a unit and I really feel we’re becoming better.”

Shaw has revealed the mid-season break has been a time for soul-searching and candid chats amongst the squad and coaches.

(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Says the defender: “The trip to Spain has been good for us to really get together and talk about the season and what needs to improve.

“It’s been hard work but the big bonus has been the bonding side of it, out here everyone’s together pretty much all the time.

“And with Bruno Fernandes being so new, it was a great chance for everyone to get to know him.

“There have been quite a few activities away from the usual training. We’ve been out for dinners and there’s a paint-balling place nearby, so about 15 or so of us went there.

“The best shot? You’re talking to him!

“Victor (Lindelof) and Harry (Maguire) were pretty good too – and of course you had a few wusses who were hiding at the back!”

Hiding isn’t in Shaw’s nature – and that’s why he’s convinced he’ll still be a big success.

“This is Manchester United. You know why you’re here. You’ve got to prove the critics wrong.”