Shaw: This is crunch time

United recorded a 2-0 win over Brighton on Tuesday evening to move up to fourth in the Premier League, and Shaw outlined the importance of continuing that run at Leeds on Sunday.

“I think this is the crunch time of the season,” Shaw said. “It is very important to get some momentum. We need to win games.

“We are Manchester United, and we should be challenging for the title, but in this instance, we are fighting for a Champions League place. We need this club to be in the Champions League.”

Shaw has frequently been selected at left-back by Ralf Rangnick in recent weeks, having had an injury-disrupted first half of the season.

The 26-year-old is pleased to be fit again and playing on a regular basis.

“Personally the first half of the season for me was nowhere near where I can be, I know that,” he continued.

“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.”

After Ralf Rangnick’s side travel to Leeds on Sunday, we make the trip to Spain for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.

Shaw sees no reason why Manchester United cannot achieve success in the pinnacle of European competition.

He declared: “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.”