Alan Shearer has criticised Romelu Lukaku for his performance in Manchester United's 3-1 defeat to Liverpool, stating that the striker's problems sum up the struggles that United are facing.
Lukaku endured a difficult time as United's misery continued with a defeat at Anfield and he has mustered just six goals in 16 Premier League appearances this season.
Shearer was heavily critical of Lukaku, remarking that he 'was nowhere near good enough' against Liverpool.
Speaking on Match of the Day 2, former Newcastle striker Shearer said: 'Lukaku's problems encapsulate what I think is going wrong at Old Trafford. Other than David De Gea, I don't think any player is playing anywhere near their potential.
'I looked at Lukaku's performance today and it was nowhere near good enough. Lukaku didn't want to go near him all afternoon, van Dijk and Lovren bullied him.'
Shearer admitted that the situation wasn't entirely Lukaku's fault, with the Belgian not receiving the required service from his team-mates.
He said: 'Admittedly the service he's getting is average at best. He doesn't know whether to come short or go long. He's starting to hide, he doesn't want to be involved in the game because he's not getting what he wants.'
With regards to the overall situation at United, Shearer feels that the upcoming January transfer window is hugely important for the future of manager Jose Mourinho.
Shearer said: 'Something has to give. They're either going to have get rid of the players that the manager wants to get rid of in January, or they're going to back the manager and say you're are man. If not, something has to change.
'If they didn't back him in the summer, which they didn't. You can't just say it's the manager's fault, you've got to look at the players also.
'As a player when you come off a football pitch you've got to look yourself in the mirror and say have I given everything today? Other than De Gea, certainly today, and on the evidence we've seen a lot this season, can say that.'
Lukaku scored 27 goals for United last season and impressed for Belgium at the World Cup but has appeared devoid of confidence this campaign.
The 25-year-old possesses much in the way of pace and power, but has lacked composure in front of goal.
Following their latest loss United remain in sixth place in the Premier League and are 19 points adrift of Liverpool, who returned to the top of the table.
numdlpr
75
what's the use of having a forward like Shearer in his hay day without good wingers with pace to square the ball, where would he be? in Lukaku's shoes. so get it right! the way ManU is set up defeats the purpose of having a dominant physical specimen like Lukaku to punish opponents. this is what opponents see when they setup for Manu. if you are going to play Rashford as the winger you waste him. the full backs can't get up the field because the midfielders are slow and oversized, the Frowmyster is always the eventual sub as another target man to defeat the purpose twice over. Mourhinho is just a destroyer he thinks as he sets up his teams. now Manu needs a total revamp just to succeed the world and Arsenal rejoices because Mourhinho can't get what he wants to succeed so he sinks the club with all aboard. maybe Captain Smith was trolling the sidelines in Liverpool today with the keys to the Olympus in his back pocket.
Wukdsuyz
69
we respect your opinion Legend but it is the style of football that Mou is using at the team and there is no motivation and belief in that team the coach is the big problem, Valencia,Pogba,Fred, Sanchez,why did he paid so much money if you don't need them?I think your analysis is very wrong.
Isaacsoner
59
Not scoring goals is one thing. If he could at least receive the ball like Fellaini or Mata, it will still make some difference. No knowledge of the ball projection. He always let it fall before him or fly way above him.
swagchicken
55
soolnors
54
Shearer does he understand football at all?If you understand football then you need to tell England their National Team to sack their Coach because he’s useless he doesn’t know anything about football.Shearer you’re are useless to blame Lukaku okey!How do you watch football for the first point?How can a Team play defensive and you expect Lukaku to Score for that Team.When Lukaku gets the Ball who comes to him to support?Look at the Stupid crosses Lingard crosse’s can those create chances for Lukaku to score goals for United? Didn’t you see them?Lukaku was to come and defend and also to release passes to wingers didn’t you see their dirty crosses?Please we don’t need any RACISM in football okey!What were you expecting him to do on the field?Is he a magician?Where you need to talk about was your midfield because it was totally broke.This was the match the Coach should have feed Pogba.Lukaku is a great player if he has a good midfields and wings who can feed him with correct passes no two ways a means he will score.He has the speed he’s strong and he knows how to score goals.Talk about the Collapse of the Team don’t talk bad about Lukaku.Are you people afraid to talk about England players in the Team?Shearer keep your mouth shut if you don’t know anything about football okey! You can make such comments about your National Team Coach when they are playing and they loose their match.
Enocheric
45
The worst thing that could have happened to Jose was Zlatan getting injured. With Zlatan they had a good season, reaching the final.
Henryrukis
41
lukaku is like
Keebdknosu
22
many people come in and criticise united for not backing the manager my question is what has he really done with the over 300 millions worth of talent he's brought in him self???? U don't expect united to pour money with no sense of purpose City spends Bc u really see the need to spend Bc the manager is doing gr8 with wat he's brought in same with city, chelsea n Liverpool Mourinho doesn't even get the best of his own signings. This guy wants fifa 11 to play well n it's still a doubt with his tactics I'm happy Bc I know how this thing will end up (Come May united will finish 6th n it will b less costly to show this guy the door so he will b shown it)