Erik ten Hag slams ‘stupid’ Alan Shearer after Rashford comments

He was not happy

Rashford was substituted in United’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend.

In his role as a pundit on Match of the Day that evening, Shearer was quick to lay in to the 26-year-old.

He said: “He's had two games this season, Marcus Rashford, and he's not had one shot at goal

“57 goals they [United] scored last season. That was the worst in the top half. So, Ruud Van Nistelrooy has been brought into there. He's going to have to work his magic somehow.

“I know they've got [Rasmus] Hojlund out injured, but when he comes in, he's going to have to improve on that because on today's evidence and in the game against Brighton it's not been anywhere near good enough in front of goal.”

"Rashford isn't a youngster anymore. He has to understand the position." @AlanShearer says Marcus Rashford shouldn't be straying offside as often as he is. #MOTD pic.twitter.com/zEVPb7edmm

— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) August 24, 2024

Ten Hag’s side host Liverpool on Sunday and in his press conference ahead of that clash he was asked about Shearer’s comments.

He said: “Everyone gets criticism from you guys, it doesn’t matter what we are doing, if we are winning, if we are losing. 

“If I take a player off, the conclusion is I was not happy with him. I was very happy with Rashy in pre-season, against Fulham and also against Brighton.”

The Dutchman insisted that he didn’t take Rashford off because his performance was poor but that he was looking for rotation.

“It is not why I took him off because his performances or level were not right - no, we had to rotate and we have good players on the bench as well, you bring new energy.

“There will be rotation and if then there is the conclusion the player is not performing. Can be sometimes, definitely it wasn’t in this case. Stupid analysis in this case from the pundit.”

Ten Hag also told the media that he couldn’t tell them anymore than they already know when it comes to the last-minute deals on the cards on deadline day.

United are expected to unveil the signing of Manuel Ugarte as well as the departure of homegrown talent Scott McTominay who is expected to complete a move to Napoli.

Ten Hag said: “It is not completed yet. We expect it, but I can’t confirm it. To make the change, it is not a comparison that you can compare those players [Ugarte and McTominay].

“We had three No.10s and we didn’t have any more holding midfield players, apart from one, so that was the idea.”

Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho looks like he could join Chelsea before the transfer window closes tonight.