Former Premier League striker Alan Shearer has criticised Manchester United and Erik Ten Hag after their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on Sunday.
United conceded two goals to Luis Diaz with Mo Salah adding a third late on in the game handing the Red Devils their second consecutive loss.
Heading into the international break, Erik Ten Hag’s team has just three points from three games and equals their worst start under the Dutchman since he joined in 2022.
Speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, Shearer was quick to criticise United following the defeat, he said: “They got absolutely battered, it was like men against boys, they were awful, Liverpool were brilliant, it should have been five or six, they got away with it.”
Shearer compared United to Liverpool who look fantastic under new manager Arne Slot after they recorded three wins from three and are yet to concede a goal.
“Arne Slot’s been in there six or seven weeks and already you can see what he’s trying to do,” he added, “but I just keep seeing the same things with Manchester United week after week.”
New Manchester United signing Ugarte needs to perform
United signed PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte as their fifth and final addition of the summer transfer window for a fee of £42m. He was unable to play on Sunday but was unveiled to the Old Trafford faithful before kick-off.
Shearer added that the Uruguayan needs to perform in midfield for United to improve in what he says is their weakest area.
“They’ve got Ugarte to come in the middle because that is a position where I think they’re really vulnerable.” He said, “He’s going to have to come in and do a big job in there because when they lose the ball, they are just wide open.”
Liverpool compared with Manchester United after three games
The Reds sit on nine points with three wins from three whereas Erik Ten Hag’s side is in the bottom half of the table sitting on just three points.
Arne Slot’s team are ahead in goals, shots and possession also managing to not yet concede a goal. Things need to change at Old Trafford if they are to keep pace with their rivals.
| Team | Goals Scored | Shots Per Game | Possession % | Goals Conceded |
| Manchester United | 2 | 11 | 53.2 | 5 |
| Liverpool | 7 | 16 | 57.2 | 0 |
