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Manchester United defender Luke Shaw believes that how the Red Devils are being treated this season proves why they are a bigger club than Arsenal.

United are without a league win since January 11 and find themselves ninth in the league, six points behind fourth-place Chelsea , who they face on Monday evening.

The Gunners have drawn their last four Premier League matches and are further adrift of the Champions League places, four points behind United, 10 points behind Chelsea and in the bottom half of the table.

And Shaw believes that United are suffering worse criticism than the Gunners, despite being above them in the league.

"No disrespect to Arsenal but they’re not exactly having the greatest of seasons and it hardly gets spoken about," Shaw told Mirror Sport .

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

(Image: Stuart MacFarlane)

Shaw also discussed his own experience of dealing with criticism, adding: "Personally I have had to have a very thick skin.

"Sometimes it’s easy for people to forget what I have actually been through.

“You need to have a thick skin to play football anywhere but especially so when you’re at the biggest club in the world.

(Image: Getty Images)

“Everyone’s watching, everyone wants to have a go whenever you lose, everyone is just waiting to criticise the moment anything goes wrong.

“It’s just part and parcel of playing for United."

Shaw missed much of this season with a hamstring injury and has made only 18 appearances in all competitions.

His starting berth at left-back has come under threat by youngster Brandon Williams, who has burst onto the scene and scored on his second start in the league.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side now faces an uphill battle to qualify for next season's Champions League, starting with their trip to Stamford Bridge.

The Europa League presents United with another opportunity to reach the competition, and the Red Devils travel to Club Brugge on Thursday for the first leg of their round of 32 tie.