Alan Shearer has responded to Erik ten Hag following comments on Marcus Rashford's form. The 26-year-old forward has endured a challenging start to the new Premier League season, yet the Manchester United boss has stuck by his side.

Despite whispers of interest from Paris Saint-Germain, Rashford has remained at Old Trafford; a decision that now been heavily scrutinised. Nonetheless, Shearer refused to backtrack on his harsh assessment of the England international.

"I was quite content and happy with what I said about Man United and Marcus Rashford before the game," the former Newcastle United striker told Betfair. "I totally get Erik ten Hag's reaction because the question was put to him in his press conference about one of his players, and he's got no other option than to protect his player.

"I totally understood that. However, I would stand by everything I said, and nothing changed for me from what I saw at the weekend," added Shearer. "I don't see much change in Man United in their three league games so far to what we saw last year, when they finished eighth. They're still wide open and still struggle in forward positions so I stand by what I said."

Ten Hag was asked about comments made by Shearer after United's 2-1 defeat to Brighton. The Match of the Day pundit said on the BBC highlights programme: "He's had two games this season Marcus Rashford and he's not had one shot at goal.

"57 goals they scored last season. That was the worst in the top half. Ruud van Nistelrooy has been brought into there. He's going to have to work his magic somehow."

Ten Hag retorted during a press briefing before United's defeat to Liverpool, labelling the analysis as 'stupid'. He said: "Everyone gets criticism, it doesn't matter what we are doing, if we are winning or if we are losing. If I take a player off, the conclusion is I was not happy with him.

"But I was very happy with Rashy in pre-season, against Fulham and also against Brighton. I didn't take him off because his performances or level were not right no, we had to rotate because we have good players on the bench who bring new energy.

"There will be rotation. Then there is the conclusion the player is not performing. It can be sometimes but definitely it wasn't in this case. In this case, it was stupid analysis from the pundit."

Shearer, unperturbed by Ten Hag's stance, stood by his observations and voiced further concern about Rashford's position in the England squad after Lee Carsley left him out for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.

"In his current form, I don't see Marcus Rashford reviving his England career," said Shearer. "I personally don't know his mentality, or what his approach is in terms of training, but there's only one way back, which is to train and have the right attitude.

"But looking from the outside, for me, he should have left Man United to reignite his career because he's gone very static for whatever reason, and it hasn't worked for him for a while now. Only Marcus can answer how much he wants to get back to scoring 30 goals a season."