Manchester United were comfortably beaten by newly-promoted Hull City on the opening day of the Premier League season
Alan Shearer has fired a serious warning to Manchester United after defeat to Hull City.
Alan Shearer has fired a serious warning to Manchester United after defeat to Hull City.(Image: PA Wire)
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Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer felt Manchester United were 'dreadful' all over the pitch and 'offered nothing upfront' in their 2-0 defeat to Hull City. It was certainly a disappointing display from Michael Carrick's side, who were the favourites heading into the game against the newly promoted side.
However, first-half goals from Semi Ajayi and Nobel Mendy, both from set-pieces, gave the Tigers all three points on their return to the top flight. United are expected to battle it out for the Champions League places again this season, having invested in the squad over the summer.
Shearer feels there's still an awful lot for Carrick's side to work on, particularly in the final third following the defeat at the MKM Stadium. He also voiced concerns over the fitness levels of United's players in an alarming observation.
Speaking on Match of the Day, Shearer said: "Man United were dreadful in all positions I thought, particularly upfront, they offered nothing. At times I struggled to work out what they were trying to do.
"[There is] so much to work on, so much to improve, I know it was the first game of the season but there was without a doubt a lack of energy, they just didn't look fit, Manchester United.
"There was only one team who were going to win that today from the very first minute, you saw the energy, you saw the intensity.
"That would be the worrying thing - you know that as a team going away from home to a newly promoted team, you know what you're going to get and you have to match them as a minimum and Man Utd didn't today. They couldn't live with them."
Manchester United conceded twice from set-pieces against Hull City
Manchester United conceded twice from set-pieces against Hull City(Image: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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It was a sentiment that TalkSPORT host and former Premier League striker Tony Cascarino agreed with, claiming that some United stars didn't look fit despite having a pre-season under their belts.
Cascarino said on talkSPORT: "I was amazed how many Manchester United players didn't look fit.
"Some of them obviously didn't go to the World Cup. So, I don't know what sort of summers they had but Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire weren't there, Youri Tielemans came out of the World Cup quite early, and Cunha came out quite early.
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"There's a number of players. Bryan Mbeumo didn't go to the World Cup either. I mean, the two midfield boys, Tielemans and Andrey Santos, were really off the pace."