"Poor in every position": England legend launches a scathing attack on United

A physical and tactical gap

Alan Shearer tore into Manchester United after their 2-0 defeat to newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday, branding the Premier League side's display "poor" on the opening day of the 2026-27 season.

Speaking on "Match of the Day" on BBC Radio 5 Live, Shearer said: "I didn't see Manchester United during pre-season. I watched them in this match, the team looks unfit and not ready to play 90 minutes of high-intensity, high-pressure, high-energy football. There was only one team that looked fit out there, and it wasn't Manchester United".

The verdict got harsher. "They were horrific. A poor team in every position", he added, insisting the least United owed themselves against a promoted side was to "match Hull's energy and pressing from the first minute". By his reckoning, they never did.

On the gulf that opened up across both halves, physically and tactically, he was blunt: "There was no intensity, no closing down of spaces, no hunger".

Another promoted side awaits. United face Ipswich Town on Sunday 30 August.