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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

Alan Shearer gives brutal verdict on Manchester United and Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United were branded 'not a very good football team' during a scathing analysis by Alan Shearer on Match of the Day.

United were held to a draw by Leicester City on Saturday evening at Old Trafford with the visitors likely to feel disappointed they did not sneak a victory. A diving header by Kelechi Iheanacho gave the Foxes the lead but Fred equalised for United soon afterwards.

David de Gea made a huge save to stop Wesley Fofana from scoring and James Maddison's strike with 10 minutes remaining was ruled out by VAR. Speaking on the BBC's flagship show, Shearer critiqued United's tactics - particularly their use of Bruno Fernandes as a false-nine.

ALSO READ: Manchester United legend Andy Cole explains Ralf Rangnick's next move for Marcus Rashford

The Newcastle legend explained: "It did not work ( Fernandes as a false-nine). It did not work when they played it last time against Man City and it certainly didn't work today.

"They did not have a focal point and they didn't have a forward. Leicester's back four were so comfortable all afternoon.

"They were flat, Man United, no energy, no spark. Players looked disinterested, they are not a very good football team.

"When they play this way or this system, they make it easier for the opposition. When you play there you have got to have runners in behind, you have got to ask different questions of the back four and Manchester United did not have that.

"There was no focal point, there was nobody in the box to hit, no one to attack the ball if or when a ball comes in there.

"No [Edinson] Cavani, no [Cristiano] Ronaldo, it is another conversation to say if Marcus Rashford cannot get into that team, there has to be big issues in terms of his form." After Sunday's fixtures, United have now dropped to seventh, below West Ham who beat Everton.

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