Alan Shearer Slams Manchester United and Erik ten Hag After Humiliating Spurs Defeat
Premier League all-time top scorer and former Newcastle United striker, Alan Shearer, has heavily criticized Manchester United and their manager, Erik ten Hag, following their 3-0 thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. The defeat, which took place at Old Trafford, has left the Red Devils in a deeper crisis, prompting harsh words from Shearer, who labeled United’s performance as ‘awful’ and questioned the direction of the team under Ten Hag.
Manchester United’s problems began early in the match, with Tottenham taking the lead within the opening minutes. The situation worsened when United captain Bruno Fernandes was shown a red card by referee Chris Kavanagh, reducing the hosts to 10 men. Spurs capitalized on United’s disorganization, adding two more goals in the second half and leaving Old Trafford with a resounding victory.
Alan Shearer, speaking after the match, was visibly frustrated with Manchester United’s performance. He expressed his confusion over Ten Hag’s tactical approach and criticized the team’s lack of identity.
“Can anyone tell me what Manchester United are?” Shearer asked. “What is their system? What is their plan? Do they sit back, do they attack, do they press? I don’t have a clue what they’re trying to do out there.”
United’s inconsistency this season has been a major talking point, and Shearer addressed this directly.
“They’re not just inconsistent; they’re a mess. They’re 12th in the league. That’s not inconsistency; that’s consistently awful,” he remarked.
Manchester United were expected to be title contenders this season, but their current form suggests otherwise. Erik ten Hag, who was brought in to bring stability and a clear vision to the team, now faces mounting pressure. Many, like Shearer, are questioning if Ten Hag has lost control of the team, as United’s performances continue to spiral downwards.
The defeat to Spurs is just the latest in a string of disappointing results for Manchester United, and with the team’s form in free fall, fans and pundits alike are beginning to wonder if Ten Hag is the right man to turn things around.
As the season progresses, Ten Hag will need to find solutions quickly, or risk further backlash from supporters and the media. With each loss, the gap between Manchester United and their rivals widens, and Shearer’s cutting remarks reflect the growing sense of unease surrounding the club’s future.