Alan Shearer’s concerning Man Utd verdict rings alarm bells for Ruben Amorim

Alan Shearer has questioned whether Manchester United's squad is truly in sync with interim manager Ruben Amorim's tactical approach. Sharing his thoughts on The Rest Is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker, the former Newcastle United star dissected the Red Devils' nail-biting draw against Everton.

Starting with a nod to their resilience shown, Shearer said: "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," however, he soon highlighted his disappointment at their overall display. Delving deeper into United's on-pitch woes, Shearer explained: "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 responded: "It often comes from the top doesn't it? But they look like lost souls don't they?" Shearer concurred, adding: "They do, absolutely yeah, you're right."

Everton took an early lead at just 19 minutes into the game at Goodison Park, when Beto swiftly capitalized on a corner the United defence failed to clear - striking the ball cleanly into the net. Following up before half-time, Abdoulaye Doucoure doubled Everton's advantage, heading a rebounded ball into the net following Andre Onana's initial save from Jack Harrison's effort.

Fernandes offered a ray of hope for United supporters with just 18 minutes remaining in the match, leaving Pickford rooted to the spot with a spectacular free kick that found the bottom right corner. Manuel Ugarte then ensured his team left Goodison with at least a point, scoring with a powerful half-volley from the edge of the box. The team was fortunate to leave with a draw after VAR controversially overturned a penalty for Everton in stoppage time.

The first few months at the helm have been far from ideal for Amorim, who took over in November following Erik ten Hag's sacking. His record stands at four victories, three draws and eight defeats from his first 15 games in charge. Currently, United languish in 15th place with a meagre 30 points – on track for their worst-ever Premier League points total.

With only 12 matches remaining this season, United must now focus on their upcoming game against relegation-threatened Ipswich Town at Old Trafford on Wednesday. Amorim's debut was the reverse fixture at Portman Road, which ended 1-1.

Fulham then go to the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday for a crucial FA Cup fifth-round tie. Following their domestic duties this week, United travel to Spain to face Real Sociedad in the challenging first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie next Thursday. They then host Arsenal in a Premier League clash at Old Trafford three days later.