Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has dubbed Alan Shearer's criticism of Marcus Rashford 'stupid' ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday.
Rashford will go into the game with a point to prove, having struggled in matches against Fulham and Brighton so far this season.
Shearer was critical of the 26-year-old while speaking on Match of the Day weekend, with the former Newcastle star hitting out at Rashford following a subdued display.
Ten Hag, speaking ahead of his side's clash with Liverpool on Sunday, has now fiercely defended his player.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has dubbed Alan Shearer's criticism of Marcus Rashford 'stupid' ahead of his side's Premier League clash with Liverpool on Sunday
BBC
He insists he has no issue with Rashford, who was hooked after 60 minutes in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton last Saturday.
And the 54-year-old has also made it clear he doesn't appreciate Shearer's comments, saying criticism of his forward is 'stupid'.
“Everyone gets criticism from you guys," he fumed.
"It doesn’t matter what we are doing, if we are winning, if we are losing, if I take a player off, the conclusion is I was not happy with him.
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“I was very happy with Rashy in pre season, against Fulham and also against Brighton.
"It is not why I took him off because his performances or level were not right - no, we had to rotate and we have good players on the bench as well, who bring new energy.
“There will be rotation and if then there is the conclusion the player is not performing. It can be sometimes, [but] definitely it wasn’t in this case.
"Stupid analysis in this case from the pundit.”
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Just over a year ago, Rashford appeared to have turned a corner.
After struggling for consistency under the likes of Ralf Rangnick, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho he scored 30 goals across all competitions for the first time in his career.
He was poor for United last term, however, as the club finished eighth in the Premier League table.
It remains to be seen if Rashford starts up top for the Red Devils against Liverpool on Sunday in their biggest match of the season so far.
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Alan Shearer was critical of Marcus Rashford following Manchester United's defeat to Brighton on Saturday
PA
With Alejandro Garnacho waiting in the wings, the Argentina international could get the nod instead.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag also opened up on Jadon Sancho amid speculation suggesting the England international could leave Old Trafford on transfer deadline day.
Chelsea are believed to be keen, while links to Juventus have gone quiet over the past 24 hours.
Ten Hag, however, insists that Sancho is likely to stay and be part of his plans for the upcoming season.
Erik ten Hag has strongly defended Marcus Rashford ahead of Man Utd's Premier League clash with Liverpool
PA
When asked if Sancho would stay, Ten Hag replied: "As I know, yeah.
"He is a player in our squad and we are happy with him. We need a good squad, we need depth in the squad, we have to play many games until January, the new format of Europe.
"After the break we will play every third day so we absolutely need options."
