‘Huge problem’… Alan Shearer says two Manchester United players didn’t try hard enough vs Newcastle

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Alan Shearer has now been discussing some of Manchester United’s woes in their defeat against Newcastle United on Saturday evening.

Shearer was speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast and identified a huge difference between the two sides.

Whilst Shearer has often praised the workrate of this Newcastle team, he could say the same about United.

And the pundit criticised two Manchester United wingers after the game for their poor effort.

Shearer said: “I thought that was a huge problem for Manchester United. 

“Time and time again, both full-backs for Manchester United were isolated, they were left two vs one, so many times, because of the reluctance and lack of effort from [Alejandro] Garnacho and [Marcus] Rashford.

“From others in the midfield who didn’t really want to run around a lot.

“Newcastle battered them in those positions. How many times did they get to the touchline and try and cross balls or try and pull the ball back and two vs one in that situation?

“That was a huge problem area for Manchester United.”

And given how hard Newcastle work under Eddie Howe, Erik ten Hag’s side were ultimately exposed.

Alan Shearer thinks Man United’s players couldn’t match the effort levels of Newcastle

Marcus Rashford has received his fair share of criticism this season, but his effort levels are rarely questioned.

However, Shearer clearly thinks that the United players are lacking some kind of motivation, the polar opposite to a player like Anthony Gordon at Newcastle.

And one pundit has now called for Marcus Rashford to leave the club altogether, a player he thinks needs a new challenge.

Moreover, although Alejandro Garnacho is fairly new to the United first team, he must also now be learning some bad habits.

That being said, ten Hag’s side do have the chance to make amends against Chelsea on Wednesday night.

However, there’s little sign of consistency for this United project right now, one that continues to disappoint.

And the occasional strong result simply seems to be papering over the cracks.

Alan Shearer clearly has concerns for Man United’s near future, something he wouldn’t be saying about this Newcastle team.