Alan Shearer explains why playing with Manchester United winger Antony would 'do his nut in'

Alan Shearer thinks Antony's tendency to cut inside on his left foot is not helping Manchester United striker Rasmus Hojlund.

Hojlund scored five goals in the Champions League group stage, but he's still yet to get off the mark in the Premier League, despite making 10 appearances in the top flight since arriving from Atalanta.

A first league goal has proved elusive for Hojlund and although chances were at a premium against Liverpool on Sunday, he couldn't convert a golden opportunity in the second half when firing at Allison. Hojlund was signed in a deal worth £72million for his long-term potential and Shearer has backed him to be a successful signing, but he believes his teammate Antony is making his life difficult.

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Antony is a heavily left-footed player and his preference for cutting instead of crossing the ball into the box is no secret.

"I think he [Hojlund] will come good," Shearer told Match of the Day. "He has to improve his link-up play and finishing but I do have sympathy for him. I try put myself in his position, I look at Garnacho, a lot of the time he is running with his head down.

"He doesn’t pick his head up enough to see when the centre forward is about to run.

"On the other side is Antony. It would do my nut to play with him because you know 99.99 per cent of the time he is coming inside onto that left foot.

"The defenders know, they can set themselves. On the odd occasion, if he did on his right, it would make it a bit more difficult. But for a centre forward, it doesn’t half make it difficult [for Hojlund]."

Antony has no goals or assists in 18 appearances in all competitions this season.