Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has criticised Alan Shearer’s analysis of Marcus Rashford’s performances so far this season, calling it “stupid”.
Rashford, 26, is yet to score this term and was substituted after 65 minutes of the 2-1 defeat at Brighton on 24 August.
Analysing Rashford’s form on Match of the Day following the loss on the south coast, Shearer said: “He’s had two games this season Marcus Rashford and he’s not had one shot at goal.
“Fifty-seven goals they [Manchester United] scored last season. That was the worst in the top half. Ruud van Nistelrooy has been brought into there. He’s going to have to work his magic somehow.”
Asked about the comments as he spoke to the media before his side’s Premier League encounter with Liverpool at Old Trafford, Ten Hag was forceful in his response.
“Everyone gets criticism from you guys, it doesn’t matter what we are doing, if we are winning or if we are losing,” he said.
“If I take a player off, the conclusion is I was not happy with him. But I was very happy with Rashy in pre-season, against Fulham [in the opening game] and also against Brighton.
“I didn’t take him off because his performances or level were not right – no, we had to rotate because we have good players on the bench who bring new energy.
“There will be rotation. Then there is the conclusion the player is not performing. It can be sometimes but definitely it wasn’t in this case. In this case, it was stupid analysis from the pundit.”
Rashford’s only goal during United’s pre-season tour was a penalty in a win against Real Betis in San Diego.
He scored just eight times in all competitions last season, with his last competitive goal for the club coming during an FA Cup win against Liverpool on 17 March.
Rashford, who was left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad, was omitted from Lee Carsley’s first Three Lions squad as interim manager for Nations League fixtures in September.
Ten Hag clashed with Shearer at the end of last season when Manchester United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
The Dutchman was under huge pressure following his team’s eighth-placed finish in the Premier League, but they upset their neighbours to lift a much-needed trophy.
“If you had had that [sort of performance] every week you wouldn’t have finished eighth, would you?” asked Shearer.
Ten Hag suggested the criticism was unfair as his squad was ravaged by injuries throughout the campaign.
United host Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday (16:00 BST kick-off) but will be without striker Rasmus Hojlund, who is still three weeks away from fitness following a hamstring injury.