NEWCASTLE legend Alan Shearer hit back at Erik ten Hag after the Manchester United manager claimed his analysis was “stupid”.
Following United’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton last week, Shearer criticised Marcus Rashford‘s poor form.
He claimed the 26-year-old has not been good enough in front of goal so far this season.
However, Ten Hag completely dismissed his view in his pre-Liverpool press conference on Friday.
The Dutchman said: “I was very happy with Rashy in pre-season, against Fulham, also against Brighton. That’s not why I took him off.
“I didn’t take him off because his performances or level were not right – no, we had to rotate because we have good players on the bench who bring new energy. There will be rotation.
“Then there is the conclusion the player is not performing. It can be sometimes but definitely it wasn’t in this case. In this case, it was stupid analysis from the pundit.”
Man Utd suffered a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
And just a few hours after full-time, Shearer hit back at Ten Hag’s comments.
Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast with Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, he said: “Look at their performance today… And then see.”
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MANCHESTER UNITED had a horror show against Liverpool as they lost 3-0.
Casemiro was so bad he was taken off at half-time.
But were there any positive performances at Old Trafford?
Amadou Onana – 5
Nothing he could do about any of Liverpool’s goals and made a few saves to prevent the scoreline from getting worse.
Noussair Mazraoui – 5
Came close to scoring in the first half and looked solid enough against Diaz although he did push up too high before Liverpool’s opener.
Matthijs de Ligt – 4
Left Diaz and Domink Szobozslai in acres of space for the opening goal but was left in a tricky spot thanks to Casemiro’s error.
Booked for a shocking late tackle on Diaz.
Lisandro Martinez – 3
Lost Diaz for the second goal which meant the Colombian was able to score unmarked from the penalty spot.
Also guilty of giving away the ball too easily and was not tight enough with his marking.
Diogo Dalot – 4
Was caught out pushing up too quickly for the first goal and did not do enough to stop Mo Salah’s cross in the build-up to Liverpool’s second.
Looked dangerous in attack at times but too infrequently as he had plenty of defensive work to do since Rashford did not track Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Casemiro – 2
A horror show in the first half as he gave the ball away in the lead up to both of Liverpool’s goals.
He was caught on the ball for the second after a shocking misplaced pass left his defence vulnerable for the opening goal. Hooked at half-time.
Kobbie Mainoo – 4
Fell victim to the Casemiro curse as he was shrugged off the ball in a terrible position, allowing Liverpool to add a third with ease.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Was United’s most creative spark but that is not saying much. Tried to get his side going in the first half but looked short of ideas and inspiration after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Still appears to be a little rusty and is yet to hit the heights he reached last season.
Marcus Rashford – 3
Nothing came off for the out-of-sorts forward who must be running out of chances before he is dropped.
Joshua Zirkzee – 4
Quiet up-front and had little influence on the wing as well, but missed a clear-cut chance with his head and should have turned in Rashford’s cross which he met at the far post.
Subs
Tom Collyer (for Casemiro, HT) – 5
A difficult game for the youngster to make his Premier League debut but he put himself about and won a few tackles.
Harry Maguire (for De Ligt, 69mins) – 5
Shored things up at the back as Liverpool took their foot off the pedal.
Amad (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 5
Provided a spark on the right and looked more lively than Garnacho.
Christian Eriksen (for Zirkzee, 86mins) – N/A
Not on long enough to make an impact.
He went on to add: “I totally get why he’s trying to protect his player, he couldn’t say anything different.
“But I think the truth be known at Man Utd nothing much as changed over the summer, has it?
“Certainly not in the performances we’ve seen.”
Shearer then said United got “absolutely battered” by Liverpool.
And former Manchester City star Richards claimed he felt sorry for the Red Devils because their “fall from grace has been so big” in recent years.
Goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah saw Liverpool cruise to the huge win over Ten Hag’s side.
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