Luke Shaw makes honest Manchester United admission

Manchester United defender Luke Shaw believes he was 'nowhere near' the player he could be at the start of the season.

Shaw was an ever-present at the beginning of the campaign for United after an excellent summer at the Euros with England.

However, as the season wore on, his form led to criticism from fans and pundits as United slipped down the Premier League table.

The 26-year-old told the club's website that he recognised his performances were not up to scratch.

"Personally the first half of the season for me was nowhere near where I can be, I know that,” Shaw said.

"I picked up a lot of niggling injuries and haven’t been 100 per cent fit.

"Now I feel great but the most important thing for me is about the team and what we need to do to improve and get back to fighting for better things than we are at the moment."

United will resume their European adventure on Wednesday night when they travel to Atletico Madrid for the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.

Speaking to the club website, Shaw is of a firm belief that United can go all the way to at least the Champions League final this season.

He said: "As a team, we believe we can win the Champions League. There’s no reason why we can’t think that.

"Some people will think I’m stupid for saying that, but we have that belief and confidence that we can win it.

"Not many people on the outside will think that but I’m sure everyone in this dressing room – the players, the staff and the management – all have that same belief that we can.

"Now we need to pick some momentum up, get results and keep playing well."

Before Shaw and co can focus on Atletico, there is just the small matter of a fierce clash against Leeds on Sunday afternoon.

"I think this is the crunch time of the