Left-back Luke Shaw accepted full responsibility for giving away a penalty in the dying stages of Manchester United's 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium on Thursday evening.
With the contest seemingly destined to finish goalless, Brighton were awarded a penalty deep into added time when Shaw raised his arm and made contact with a cross from the right flank. Referee Andre Marriner, following a VAR intervention, went over to the pitchside monitor and ruled that a penalty should be awarded.
Alexis Mac Allister stepped up and sent David de Gea the wrong way, sealing a precious victory for the home side, inflicting a first Premier League defeat in just over a month on United in the process. United had survived a flurry of late Brighton attacks, meaning it was all the more frustrating for Erik ten Hag's side.
READ MORE: United repeated their same mistakes during Brighton defeat
However, to Shaw's credit, he stepped forward and accepted full responsibility for such a crushing blow. It was particularly unfortunate for the England defender as he had performed excellently at centre-back once again.
"It hurts a lot," Shaw told Sky Sports. "It was the last minute, the last action, really, I think.
"I got a little nudge but, of course, the hand shouldn't be there, I own up to it and take it on the chin. I cost us the game and it's tough."
Although the defender refused to use it as an excuse, he felt that a free-kick should have been awarded in United's favour in the build-up to him handling the ball.
"I can't even explain why my hand is up there," added the defender. "Of course, I said I got a nudge and maybe that helped my arm go up, but it still shouldn't be there.
"I think, even before the corner, the free-kick that was given away before that was never a foul. I am not looking for excuses for what I have done but I don't think there is any way that should have been a foul that led to the corner before.
"For me, maybe that corner should not have even happened. But, of course, I cannot change that and I am not accusing the referee of anything. I just don't think it was a foul, but I put my hands up and it was a silly mistake that cost us a point at the end."
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