Alan Shearer has offered his perspective on Manchester United’s ongoing struggles under Ruben Amorim. Following United’s humiliating 3-1 home defeat to Brighton on Sunday, the Newcastle United legend did not hold back in his assessment. Shearer claimed that the Red Devils have regressed under the Portuguese manager’s stewardship compared to the tenure of Erik ten Hag, whom United sacked in October after leaving the team languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.
Shearer, speaking as a pundit on Sunday night, highlighted the lack of identity and cohesion in United’s current setup. He argued that while Ten Hag faced his own share of challenges, including dressing room unrest and inconsistent performances, there was at least a semblance of a plan under the Dutchman. In contrast, Shearer suggested that Amorim’s team has struggled to find any rhythm, looking disjointed and lacking the resilience expected of a club with such a storied history.
The Brighton defeat was particularly damning to United fans, as the Seagulls dominated possession and carved through United’s midfield with ease. For a team once defined by its dominance at Old Trafford, the current campaign has been a stark reminder of how far they have fallen from their glory days. Shearer pointed out that Brighton’s systematic dismantling of United was not an anomaly, but rather a symptom of deeper issues at the club.
What Did Alan Shearer Say About Manchester United?
‘They’re actually worse now than they were under Ten Hag because of what this manager wants to do with his system,’ Shearer said on The Rest is Football.
They can’t play the way he wants to play. The players just can’t do it.’
Gary Lineker raised a critical point during his conversation with Alan Shearer and Micah Richards, wondering whether Ruben Amorim should adapt his tactics to better suit the strengths of Manchester United’s current squad.
‘Let’s flip it on it’s head,’ Richards replied. ‘Back in your [Lineker and Shearer’s] day, it was 4-4-2.
‘If you changed the formation to a 3-4-3, how difficult would you find it to adapt? Imagine saying to you, Alan, “Go and play on the right of a three upfront where you’ve got to press.”
‘I think [Amorim] is so hell-bent on playing this certain style but the players don’t fit the style.’
Manchester United’s Woes Continue
After Sunday’s dismal showing, Ruben Amorim admitted that his Manchester United side could well be the worst in the club’s storied history. The manager’s frank and sobering concession reflects the gravity of the situation at Old Trafford, where expectations remain sky-high despite a seemingly endless decline.
Adding to the sense of shame, the defeat came on a day meant to honour one of the club’s greatest icons, Denis Law. The tribute to the legendary striker, who embodied the fighting spirit and class that once defined Manchester United, was overshadowed by a humbling 3-1 loss to Brighton. The Seagulls, brimming with confidence and tactical cohesion, picked apart a United team bereft of identity, leaving the home crowd stunned and disheartened.
This latest humiliation further tarnishes a woeful record at Old Trafford, with United enduring their worst home form in the league in an astonishing 131 years. For a ground often referred to as “The Theatre of Dreams,” it has become a stage for nightmares this season. Visiting teams, far from being intimidated, now see Old Trafford as fertile ground for three points.
