Erik ten Hag criticises Alan Shearer over Marcus Rashford analysis in Manchester United defeat

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has branded Alan Shearer's analysis of Marcus Rashford on Match of the Day as "stupid".

Rashford was substituted in the 64th minute of United's 2-1 defeat at Brighton last week, having had a goal disallowed for offside.

On Match of the Day that evening, Shearer said "(Assistant coach) Ruud van Nistelrooy's been brought into there and he's going to have to work his magic somehow".

When presenter Gary Lineker opined "at least he (Rashford) is looking to try and make runs", Shearer replied: "Yeah, but he's not a youngster any more. 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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Rashford has started all three of United's games this month and is yet to score. When Ten Hag was asked about Shearer's analysis, he replied: "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, also against Brighton. 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, who 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."

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