Alan Shearer blasts ‘hopeless’ and ‘pathetic’ Man Utd duo...

Alan Shearer has blasted Manchester United’s ‘hopeless’ and ‘pathetic’ attempts against Everton with Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes coming in for stinging criticism. United turned in a dismal first-half display at Goodison Park on Saturday, two goals down after 33 minutes after some calamitous moments from the away side.

Image Credit: Metro [Everton FC v Manchester United FC - Premier League]

Ruben Amorim’s side were disorganised and passive throughout the opening 45 with Shearer stunned by how poor United were in their attempts to press the opposition. While United rescued a draw through second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte, Shearer blasted Dalot for showing no interest in closing down the opposition with Fernandes also catching strays for his meek efforts.

‘Watch Man United, this is pathetic, it really is,’ Shearer told Match of the Day. ‘You’ve got players who are walking. ‘There’s no point in going in ones and twos, look at the space Everton have got to play in. Look at [Jack] Harrison, look at [James] Garner.

‘Both wanting the ball, both wanting to receive the ball. And if they get it, Dalot is eight yards off. Why aren’t you one yard off and getting in a crunching tackle? Then the run of Garner at will, at ease. ‘All of sudden they’re into your back three. Same thing again, you go from left to right, take two touches, three touches, pick your head up, pick your pass, go wherever you want because it’s so easy for you, because no one’s working.’.

He continued: ‘I’m not sure they know what they’re doing in there. Look at the effort or lack of it. Everton’s second goal is the worst one of the lot. ‘Watch this from Bruno Fernandes, when Doucoure gets the ball. Seriously, is that the best you can do in closing down?.

‘So the difference between the two teams and for 72 minutes Man United were hopeless. I look at some of the players and they’re really struggling with what the manager wants and needs.’. Amorim gave his own brutal assessment of United’s first-half display, insisting they ‘didn’t exist’ until the second period.

‘We managed to recover second half. But we didn’t exist in the first half, so the feeling is disappointed,’ Amorim said. ‘Not with the point, not with the recovery, but we need to play both halves to compete in the best way because at this moment we need to win.’.