Erik ten Hag has just two games to save his job at Manchester United after their early season struggles, according to Premier League legend Alan Shearer.
The Dutchman’s side were dealt a brutal 3-0 thrashing to rivals Liverpool on Sunday afternoon, leaving them 14th in the table after their opening three matches.
Having spent over £200million on new recruits over the summer – such as Leny Yoro, Manuel Ugarte and Matthijs De Ligt – some would argue Ten Hag’s side are failing to meet expectations.
Now, Premier League legend Shearer has weighed in on the matter and insisted that the next two games will prove vital for Ten Hag’s future at the club.
Speaking to Betfair, he said: ‘Man United’s results will have to improve massively for Ten Hag to still be at the club at Christmas. A lot will depend on their next two results.
Erik ten Hag has just two games to save his Man United career, according to Alan Shearer
Ten Hag’s United side were on the receiving end of a 3-0 thrashing by Liverpool on Sunday
Just one win from their opening three games leaves United in 14th in the Premier League table
‘After the defeat to Brighton and the manner of defeat to Liverpool, if the team doesn’t see a massive improvement in the next game or two then it will be really, really difficult for him because the noise will only get louder’.
United fell to a 2-1 defeat away to Brighton – after a late Joao Pedro winner – before the dismal display against Liverpool.
After the international break, United will travel to St Mary’s for a league clash with Southampton – who are yet to pick up a point in the campaign.
Just three days later, they will play host to Barnsley in the third round of the League Cup – which Ten Hag will be looking to win for a second time. Their next Premier League game is away at Crystal Palace.
Lat week, BBC pundit Shearer singled out Rashford on Match of the Day last weekend after he was substituted in United’s defeat at Brighton – before Ten Hag bit back.
The former England striker described the number of times Rashford was caught offside at the Amex Stadium as ‘staggering’ and criticised his lack of goal threat.
Shearer insisted the Red Devils must make a ‘massive improvement’ in their coming games
Ten Hag and Shearer clashed last week over the form of Man United forward Marcus Rashford
‘He’s had two games this season Marcus Rashford and he’s not had one shot at goal,’ said Shearer.
‘On today’s evidence and in the game against Fulham , it’s not been anywhere near good enough in front of goal.’
Ten Hag leapt to Rashford’s defence when he was asked about Shearer’s comments ahead of United’s game against Liverpool tomorrow.
‘If I take a player off, the conclusion is I was not happy with him,’ said Ten Hag. ‘It can be sometimes, but definitely it wasn’t in this case. Stupid analysis from the pundit.
‘I was very happy with Rashy in pre-season and 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.’
Moving on to other matters, Shearer also suggested that the Red Devils need to improve in their attacking department.
He said: ‘Man United have just sold Jadon Sancho to Chelsea and obviously he hasn’t played a part for a long time now. They have got other options in Amad Diallo and Garnacho.
After the international break, United will travel to Southampton for a Premier League clash
‘They’ve got Antony there too, who they spent an absolute fortune on, but he hasn’t really kicked a ball for Man United; he’s been a letdown up to now.
‘There’s no doubt that there’s talent there with Marcus, it’s getting it out of him and quite clearly for a while now, that hasn’t been the case. Man United though have to look at how to improve in forward positions.
‘They’ve bought Zirkzee, I know Hojlund has been injured but on the evidence, I’ve seen in the three games this season, nothing has changed in the forward positions or the midfield.
‘They’ve added in Ugarte now for a lot of money and he’s obviously been signed for a specific reason but it’s a big ask for him and Hojlund to step up and get the improvement that Man United need across the pitch’.