Manchester United defender Luke Shaw has taken responsibility for his side's 1-0 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Thursday evening.

The two sides were on course to share the spoils at the Amex, with the score still goalless heading into the final stages of additional time.

However, Brighton were awarded a last-gasp penalty when Shaw handled a cross inside the area, and Alexis Mac Allister stepped up to secure all three points for the home side.

Referee Andre Marriner had initially failed to spot the handball but gave the penalty after intervention from VAR, who urged the official to view the incident on the pitch-side monitor.

Shaw said after the match that he 'could not explain why he raised his hand', with the left-back prepared to accept the responsibility for the late defeat.

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"It hurts a lot," Shaw told Sky Sports News. "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.

"I can't even explain why my hand is up there. 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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Shaw again played in central defence against Brighton, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez on the sidelines.

Harry Maguire is again available after a recent suspension and injury, but the club captain was an unused substitute on Thursday, with Shaw operating alongside Victor Lindelof in the middle.

Erik ten Hag's side are still in pole position to claim a top-four spot in the Premier League table, sitting fourth, four points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool with a game in hand.

The Red Devils will be bidding to return to winning ways when they head to relegation-threatened West Ham United on Sunday night.