Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have refused any suggestion their line of questioning to Erik ten Hag after Manchester United's FA Cup win overstepped the mark.
Ten Hag spoke to the BBC pundits after seeing his side record a surprise cup final win over rivals Manchester City.
Lineker asked Ten Hag live on TV whether he knew the FA Cup game was going to be his last while Shearer held nothing back when he said: "You had a team out there today who have shown a great attitude... that hasn't always been the case this season though has it? So you can understand why we do criticise sometimes."
The two former England internationals faced heavy criticism on social media for the manner of their interview with Ten Hag.
Gary Lineker was criticised for his line of questioning
BBC
One person wrote: "It was one of the most bitter disgusting interviews I've ever seen to a manager who's just won a trophy."
Another complained: "ETH answered them perfectly. Rubbish pundits."
A third moaned: "You're joking right? This lacked class and professionalism, entirely disrespectful."
One other complaint read: "Shame on you lot Shearer and Lineker."
The objections clearly caught the attention of Lineker, who spoke about the interview on The Rest is Football podcast with Shearer.“
People took a bit of umbrage to our questioning and your answer to Erik ten Hag," Lineker said.
“He came over and he didn’t seem very happy right from the start.
"I think he also had a pop at Roy Keane, so he obviously had something in his mind when he came over.
“I asked the question, ‘Do you think you’ve been unfairly treated by pundits, and even us?’
"Obviously, it’s our job to be critical on occasion, we have to say what we think.
Alan Shearer defended the way he spoke to Erik ten Hag
BBC
"And then he replied saying ‘definitely’, and then you challenged him didn’t you?”
Shearer replied: “Yeah. He’s entitled to have a pop back because he’s been criticised at times and I think rightly so, because his team have been miles off it. They’ve been poor.
“They’ve had a disastrous season in terms of the league. I don’t think any Man Utd fan would argue that.
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Erik ten Hag led Manchester United to a surprise win over Manchester City
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"To finish eighth, to finish with the number of goals they’ve conceded, shots against, it’s embarrassing.
“So for all of those things we’ve had to criticise them this season.
"If we didn’t we wouldn’t be doing our job. But he’s entitled to have the hump with people who he feels are being unfair, but I felt I was well within my rights [to say what I said].”
