Last week, Erik ten Hag locked horns with Alan Shearer after the pundit analysed Marcus Rashford’s concerning form on Match of the Day.
The Dutchman labelled Shearer’s comments as ‘stupid’, which, in fairness, you’d maybe expect of a manager trying to protect his players from outside criticism.
Yet, Ten Hag has surely learnt by now that he can’t put himself in a position where he’s hitting back with such remarks without then taking some stick himself – especially given the statistics that mount against him since his Manchester United tenure began.
That’s why Shearer was quick to throw Ten Hag in the firing range following yesterday’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool. It marked a second loss of the season for United with only three matches played, leaving them 14th in the Premier League table heading into the international break.
Barring the first half hour at Old Trafford, it was a cushty win for the travelling Scouse outfit, with Mohamed Salah even admitting post-match that he was surprised his side didn’t net five or six goals.
Shearer revisits Ten Hag retort
When discussing the game’s affairs, the former Newcastle United talisman drew back to Ten Hag’s ‘stupid’ observation, reacting (via The Rest Is Football): “Look at their performance today and then see.
“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 United, nothing much has changed over the summer, has it? Certainly not in the performances we’ve seen.”
