Luke Shaw wants artificial pitches banned in Champions League after Man Utd loss

Manchester United star Luke Shaw has suggested that the artificial playing surface may have had an impact in the club's recent Champions League defeat away at Swiss outfit BSC Young Boys.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men were beaten convincingly, the 2-1 scoreline flattering the Red Devils if anything - but it was the turf at the Wankdorf Stadium that left Shaw talking following the full-time whistle.

Man Utd went 1-0 up in the opening exchanges courtesy of another Cristiano Ronaldo goal, before Aaron Wan-Bissaka's straight red-card for a late challenge midway through the first half changed the landscape of the contest for both sides.

Luke Shaw has bemoaned the playing surface at BSC Young Boys' stadium (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

The hosts equalised midway through the second half, before Jesse Lingard's stray back-pass was latched on to by Young Boys forward Theoson Siebatcheu who duly placed his effort beyond the onrushing David De Gea.

Shaw explained how the numerical advantage boasted by the hosts may have played a factor in the result, as he said : "I don't know. It's always hard with ten men. I think we started well. It's a hard pitch to play on, it's not easy to get used to.

"We got the early goal, comfortable in the game, we didn't feel they were too threatening.

"Then, ten men, they had more of the ball, more chances. Towards the end we gave everything, we tried to give them as many less chances as possible. But they got the goal, and the last goal, these things happen in football.

"We need to move on. We're disappointed, but there's still a lot more games to go."

The England international did go on to explain how though the artificial playing surface is not an excuse for the shock defeat, it did impact the way United played.

He doubled down on his complaints by going on to say the pitch surface should be banned from the Champions League.

"No excuses, we lost the game tonight, you can't blame the pitch," Shaw added.

"But for Champions League, these pitches, they shouldn't be possible. It's dangerous. It's hard to turn on. But like I said, it's no excuse.

Should artificial pitches be banned from the Champions League? Have your say here.

Luke Shaw did go on to explain how the artificial pitch is not an excuse for Man Utd's defeat

"It's football, we lost tonight, we have to take it on the chin and we need to focus on the games coming up on the weekend."

United make the trip to East London to meet a familiar face in David Moyes, his West Ham side aiming to bring United's unbeaten start to the league season to an end on Sunday afternoon.

The game will also mark a return to the London Stadium for Lingard, who spent the latter half of last term on loan with the Hammers - a decision that would revive a flat-lining career.