Shearer launches FURIOUS rant about the state of 'hollow and empty' Newcastle

Alan Shearer has launched an impassioned rant about the current state of 'hollow and empty' Newcastle after the side were thrashed by Manchester United.

The Mapgies lost 4-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice on his second debut for the club.

And Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, decried the lack of 'hope' and 'ambition' under unpopular owner Mike Ashley.

He said: 'I hate what my club is or has become. It's been a long time now, it's a hollow and an empty football club.

'There's no hope or ambition and I'm pretty sick of it to be honest. It's copy-paste-repeat every season.

'They give players who have been at the football club new contracts because they can't sell them on. Then they have an excuse that they can't bring other players into the football club because those players are being paid a salary.

'It's cheaper to keep them on the books rather than buying other players. The fans deserve better. Every manager has the same problems - as I said, it's copy-paste-repeat every season. (Stuck in a rut?) Yes.'

Bruno Fernandes and Jesse Lingard scored the other goals for the Red Devils, with Javier Manquillo equalising after Ronaldo's opener before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men pulled away.

Steve Bruce's side - who currently lie second bottom in 19th with just one point from their opening four Premier League games - face Leeds next up, on Friday.