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Alan Shearer doubles down on Marcus Rashford concerns after Erik ten Hag called claim 'stupid'

Alan Shearer has responded to Erik ten Hag's comments about his Marcus Rashford criticism, with the Match of the Day pundit sticking by his initial remarks

[Alan Shearer]

Alan Shearer was critical of Marcus Rashford on Match of the Day(Image: BBC)

Alan Shearer has clapped back after Erik ten Hag called his remarks on Marcus Rashford's lacklustre Manchester United form "stupid".

Out-of-form England star Rashford has had a gruelling start to the Premier League season, and as Shearer indicated - prompting Ten Hag's retort - Rashford hasn't managed a single shot on target in United's first three matches, two of which they've lost.

The 26-year-old was at the centre of transfer rumblings over the summer, with PSG seemingly interested, but the decision was made for Rashford to stay put at Old Trafford. Ten Hag's feathers were distinctly ruffled by pundit Shearer's recent assessment.

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Nonetheless, the ex-Newcastle striker is unrelenting about his critique and reiterated his views, also conceding why the United manager might have felt irked. "I was quite content and happy with what I said about Man United and Marcus Rashford before the game," Shearer told Betfair.

"I totally get Erik ten Hag's reaction because the question was put to him in his press conference about one of his players, and he's got no other option than to protect his player. I totally understood that. However, I would stand by everything I said, and nothing changed for me from what I saw at the weekend.

"I don't see much change in Man United in their three league games so far to what we saw last year, when they finished eighth. They're still wide open and still struggle in forward positions so I stand by what I said."

[Erik ten Hag]

Erik ten Hag labelled Shearer's comments as "stupid"(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)

Ten Hag was asked about comments made by Shearer after United's 2-1 defeat to Brighton. The Match of the Day pundit said on the BBC highlights programme: "He's had two games this season Marcus Rashford and he's not had one shot at goal.

"57 goals they scored last season. That was the worst in the top half. Ruud van Nistelrooy has been brought into there. He's going to have to work his magic somehow."

During his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's 3-0 defeat to Liverpool, Ten Hag responded: "Everyone gets criticism, it doesn't matter what we are doing, if we are winning or if we are losing. If I take a player off, the conclusion is I was not happy with him.

[Marcus Rashford looking dejected during Manchester United vs Liverpool]

Shearer is sticking by his analysis after Rashford's slow start to the season(Image: Offside via Getty Images)

"But I was very happy with Rashy in pre-season, against Fulham and also against Brighton. 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."

Despite the pushback from United's boss, Shearer remains firm with his previous remarks and expressed concern over Rashford's place in England's squad after his omission by interim head coach Lee Carsley for the upcoming Nations League games.

"In his current form, I don't see Marcus Rashford reviving his England career," Shearer argued. "I personally don't know his mentality, or what his approach is in terms of training, but there's only one way back, which is to train and have the right attitude.

"But looking from the outside, for me, he should have left Man United to reignite his career because he's gone very static for whatever reason, and it hasn't worked for him for a while now. Only Marcus can answer how much he wants to get back to scoring 30 goals a season."

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