Ruben Amorim’s ‘confused’ Man Utd players leave Alan Shearer with worrying verdict

Alan Shearer has raised concerns over Manchester United's understanding of Ruben Amorim's tactics after their latest alarming display.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football alongside Gary Lineker, the former Newcastle striker delved into the Red Devils' performance in their nail-biting draw with Everton. Shearer softened his critique by offering some credit: "Before we sort of criticise, they do deserve a little bit because they were 2-0 down, and to come back and get a point," but he didn't hold back expressing his dissatisfaction with their overall play.

He added: "But for 72 minutes, oh my goodness, they were awful. They didn't have a shot on target, their first shot was the Bruno [Fernandes] free-kick, which was a big mistake from Jordan Pickford. A rare mistake, yeah. But that sort of let Man United back into the game. But up until then... I was looking at them and I'm thinking, 'I'm not certain the players actually understand what the manager is trying to get them to do'.

"Because I did my analysis on Match of the Day with their lack of pressing compared to what Everton's were. Now Everton were brilliant at what they were doing in the pressing and all of those things, but Man United were just standing off Everton and letting them knock it around and play. And I looked at the players and I'm thinking, 'I don't know whether you think you should actually go and close down, or sit and try to be compact and tight'.

"They just looked confused. They really looked confused in what the manager was trying to get them to do for 72 minutes. Up until Bruno's goal, they were terrible. They really were. And people will just say, 'you're just saying that because you're not...' no I'm not, I'm saying it because that was what I saw.

"They were really, really poor. And I'm not a Man United fan but I'd be hugely concerned at what's happening there at the minute, both on and off the pitch." Lineker added his own opinion, saying: "It often comes from the top doesn't it? But they look like lost souls don't they?" Shearer replied: "They do, absolutely yeah, you're right."

United found themselves trailing at Goodison Park with just 19 minutes on the clock, as Beto pounced quickest to strike from close range following a corner that the Red Devils failed to clear. Abdoulaye Doucoure then doubled the lead just after half an hour, heading home a rebound after Andre Onana made a close-range save from Jack Harrison.

Fernandes gave United fans a glimmer of hope with 18 minutes left to play of the game, rooting Pickford with a stunning free kick into the bottom right corner, before Manuel Ugarte ensured his side left Goodison Park – United's final ever visit to the stadium – with a point, hitting a thunderous half-volley from the edge of the box. United were lucky to escape with even that after VAR controversially overturned a stoppage-time penalty for Everton.

It's been far from a dream first few months for Amorim, who took charge in November following the dismissal of Erik ten Hag. He's achieved just four wins, three draws and eight losses from his 15 games in charge thus far. As it stands, United currently sit 15th, with 30 points to show for their dismal season – and they are on course for their lowest ever Premier League points tally.

United have just 12 games to turn the tide before the end of the season, and will now turn their attention to relegation-threatened Ipswich Town on Wednesday, as they visit Old Trafford. Amorim's first game in charge was the reverse fixture at Portman Road, which was drawn 1-1.

Fulham then go to the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday for a pivotal FA Cup fifth-round clash. The Red Devils then head to Spain to take on Real Sociedad in their tricky Europa League round of 16 first leg next Thursday, before facing Arsenal in the Premier League at Old Trafford three days later.

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