Alan Shearer responds to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag calling his analysis 'stupid'

Alan Shearer 'understands' why Erik ten Hag protected Marcus Rashford in a Manchester United press conference last week but has said he stands by his comments.

Speaking on Friday, Ten Hag said Shearer's analysis of Rashford on Match of the Day was 'stupid' and insisted he was happy with his performance against Brighton.

Shearer was critical of Rashford at the Amex Stadium and said: "Ruud van Nistelrooy's been brought into there and he's going to have to work his magic somehow".

When presenter Gary Lineker said "at least he [Rashford] is looking to try and make runs", Shearer replied: "Yeah, but he's not a youngster anymore. He has to understand the position and look across the pitch when you can see the whole of it, you shouldn't be offside then."

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Ten Hag was asked about those comments in his press conference before Liverpool and he called Shearer's analysis 'stupid', which the former striker has now responded to.

Shearer told Betfair that he stands by his opinion on Rashford and suggested the 26-year-old might have to leave United to breathe new life into his career.

"I was quite content and happy with what I said about Man United and Marcus Rashford before the game," said Shearer in the interview. "I totally get Erik ten Hag’s reaction because the question was put to him in his press conference about one of his players.

"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