Alan Shearer fires back at Erik ten Hag after Man Utd boss calls his analysis 'stupid'

Alan Shearer has fired back at Erik ten Hag after the Manchester United manager called out his 'stupid' analysis of Marcus Rashford.

Shearer criticised Rashford's performance at Brighton as Man United suffered a 2-1 defeat.

He was replaced just after the hour mark, with the Newcastle United legend taking aim at his showing up front.

Ahead of Man United's game against Liverpool, Ten Hag jumped to the defence of the star forward as he hit out at Shearer, calling his take 'stupid'.

But after Man United's crushing defeat to Liverpool, Shearer claimed nothing has changed over the summer for Ten Hag's side in a scathing assessment.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: "Look at their performance today... and then see. I totally get why he's trying to protect his player, he couldn't say anything different."

The Premier League icon added: "But I think the truth be known at Man United nothing much has changed over the summer, has it? Certainly not in the performances we've seen."

Marcus Rashford cuts a dejected figure during Manchester United vs. Liverpool. Image: Getty

Rashford once again failed to open his goal account for the new season as the Red Devils succumbed to Arne Slot's team, making it back-to-back league defeats.

Speaking after the 26-year-old's form in front of goal last week, Shearer said on Match of the Day: "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 has not been included in Lee Carsley's first England squad, so he will have a small break before returning to action.

Once the international break is out of the way, Man United resume their league campaign at Southampton.