‘They will suffer’ – Alan Shearer insists Man Utd struggles will continue until one thing happens
Manchester United faced their third defeat of the 2023-24 Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, and former footballer Alan Shearer doesn’t foresee an end to their struggles anytime soon.
After the match, Gary Neville expressed his frustration on a social media platform, attributing the recent poor results to the Glazers, whom he believes are responsible for the team’s performance decline.
This sentiment is shared by Shearer, a Premier League legend, who believes that the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ownership takeover will continue to have a negative impact on the team’s performance.
Alan Shearer comments on struggling Manchester United
Shearer stated on The Rest Is Football podcast,
“I’m not solely blaming the owners because ideally, it shouldn’t directly affect what happens on the pitch. However, in any organization, decisions made at the highest level tend to trickle down to affect the overall atmosphere and performance.”
He continued,
“This is precisely what’s occurring at Manchester United, and it will persist until the Glazer family, who are at the very top, resolve their situation. Whether that means selling the club or taking some other action, the uncertainty must be resolved. Is the club up for sale? Is it not? Until this is clarified, I believe the team will continue to suffer.”
While the uncertainty surrounding the takeover may be unsettling for manager Erik ten Hag and the players, the Dutchman has had substantial financial support, with over £400 million spent on player acquisitions since his appointment.
Given this investment, the team’s struggles against Brighton, whose entire starting lineup cost approximately £17 million, are concerning.
In the summer transfer windows of 2022 and 2023, Manchester United made significant signings totaling £229 million and £182 million, respectively.
With such resources at his disposal, there is an expectation that Ten Hag will achieve better results after leading the team for 16 months.
However, it’s essential to note that simply splurging on transfers, as exemplified by Chelsea’s approach, is not a guarantee of success.
The Dutch manager and his squad need to find ways to deliver better performances and results on the pitch.
Despite calls for change, the Glazers have shown no inclination to sell Manchester United in the near future.
Consequently, it is imperative for the manager and players to find a way to return to their winning ways in the Premier League.
