Alan Shearer has criticised Manchester United after their FA Cup exit to Brighton, saying the club is 'not a happy place' and questioned the club's approach to hiring a new boss
Alan Shearer
Alan Shearer offered a scathing assessment(Image: Rest is Football/YouTube)
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The very public nature of Manchester United's hunt for a manager is a troubling indication of the club's current state, according to Alan Shearer. The former Newcastle striker is alarmed that the club's search for an interim solution has become public knowledge, pointing to deeper problems at Old Trafford.
United have been in discussions with former players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick about taking the reins until the season's end. Carrick, who last managed Middlesbrough, is reportedly the leading candidate for the role.
Darren Fletcher was given temporary control of first-team affairs after Ruben Amorim's dismissal. The former Scotland international was unable to secure a victory in fixtures against Burnley and Brighton, with United also suffering an FA Cup exit.
Following the defeat to the Seagulls, Shearer delivered a scathing verdict on the team. The former England captain didn't hold back in his criticism of both the players and those running the club.
"They're just not very good. That's the truth. The whole club, there's so many errors and mistakes," said Shearer on the Rest is Football podcast.
Micah Richards responded: "I am looking here, Mount, Fernandes, Cunha and Sesko as your front four, it's good enough, isn't it?"
"It should be, but it's not," Shearer replied bluntly. "It's not a happy place.
"Fletcher is in there at the moment; he's had Burnley away and Brighton at home and drawn one of those. They've spoken to Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over the weekend, I gather, in terms of the interim until the end of the season.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are leading candidates to take charge Manchester United(Image: Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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"How does everyone know what's going on? How does everyone know they've been spoken to and that's their plan? That in itself tells me there are issues. How's that getting out?"
Shearer also remained sceptical about United's tactical shift to a back four following Amorim's departure. He added: "It turns out it wasn't five at the back that was the problem then?
"They weren't very good, Brighton were the better team. Danny Welbeck got a goal and an assist. They are what they are, aren't they?"
Fletcher, currently at the helm, recognises that his players need support to navigate this difficult spell. Yet the United boss also stressed the squad must take responsibility.
"It's a massive responsibility to lead this club, and I've given it my best and ultimately I'm disappointed to not be able to win a game or to get a result today," he commented after the Brighton match.
"But I feel like there were some good things in there, we created a lot of chances, shots, things like that. But, ultimately, it wasn't enough. So I am more disappointed than anybody, really, because I care for the club and I want the club to do well and I want the players to do well.
"And I genuinely mean that, it's not about me. I've had my time as a player, it's in the bank now, it's done. Loved every minute of it, was very lucky. It's all about them. But we need to help them, the club need to help them, and they're going to need to help themselves."
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