Alan Shearer labels Man United “utterly awful” and “shambolic” after defeat to Tottenham, while Gary Lineker claims they look like “lost souls” – while pundits flag a lack of identity under Erik ten Hag

Alan Shearer has branded Manchester United “shambolic” and “abhorrently terrible” after their 3-0 defeat to Tottenham at Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, Gary Lineker claimed the players looked like “lost souls”, accusing them of “getting worse and worse” and lacking a consistent style of play.

United sank to a new low on Sunday night when they were outclassed by Spurs, trailing 1-0 within three minutes and never getting into the game.

The result has put enormous pressure on Erik ten Hag, who has now started this season as poorly as David Moyes did in 2013/14, although he insists he is not afraid for his position.

‘The Spurs were by far the better team. They were more than ready Man United was. They started really well, were the better team and I thought Man United were chaotic, terrible and were lucky to get away with three,” Shearer told The Rest Is Football.

“What are they? Can someone tell me: what is Man United? What is their system, what is their plan? Are they sitting? Are they attacking? Do they press? I have no idea what they are. You’re a mess.’

After Micah Richards claimed United were “inconsistent”, Shearer hit back: ‘Inconsistent? They are 12th in the league. That means they’re not inconsistent – that means they’re fucking terrible.

“The players have to take responsibility. You can’t hide behind the manager. The manager has to take all the hassle every week when a result goes against him. There are players out there that make you say, “Come on, is this the best you can give?”

“But on the other hand, if you look at what they gave in the cup final and what happened in the summer with interviews with other managers, they put him in an impossible position.

“When it emerged they had spoken to other managers last year they didn’t help him at all. It would be virtually impossible for him.

“They won the Carabao and the FA Cup but when it comes to being a force in the league they are miles away.” They are miles away. You have no identity.’

United failed to learn the lesson from their draw with FC Twente, as they let Micky van de Ven rampage through midfield early on and set up Brennan Johnson for Spurs’ opener.

The hosts offered nothing in a dismal first half and their hopes sank when captain Bruno Fernandes was controversially sent off for a high foul on James Maddison.

Spurs turned the screws in the second half and got out of the starting blocks, with Dejan Kulusevski doubling their lead within two minutes of the restart before Dominic Solanke scored the third.

Lineker said: “How many times have we said, what is their plan, how do they play, is their pressing, what triggers the pressing?” Are they just a counter-attacking team? They were found wanting in all departments.

“There is no real improvement.” It must be pretty bad to be a Manchester United fan at the moment!

“It’s almost like it’s gradually getting worse.” At the start of the season, none of us in our predictions expected things to get much better this season. But even teams like Bournemouth and Brighton, you can see how they play, you can see the organization, the planning, the high press. You could look at Brighton and say, “That’s crazy, the high line,” but at least it’s a way of playing.

“Tottenham were brilliant. We all know that they follow the risk and reward style that Ange Postecoglou uses. They have an identity in their style of play. Look at Manchester United and one week they will be trying to apply a bit of pressure, another week they will be sitting deep and trying to counter.

“They always seem to lose the midfield battle in most games they play.” And they mostly rely on a single piece of magic from Bruno. They are miles away.

“They look like lost souls.” Players need to know their roles and what to do in certain situations, and for a long time it doesn’t look like they know their roles. That certainly depends on the coaching. Footballers don’t just say, “I’m not trying.”

“It’s hard to imagine him (Ten Hag) turning things around now.”

Her comments echo the immediate reaction of other pundits, such as former Manchester United captain Gary Neville, who described Sky Sports United as “disgusting” and playing “pub football”.

Ten Hag faces a critical week with a trip to Porto in the Champions League on Thursday before facing Aston Villa on Sunday.

Richards had a slightly more compassionate take on the players and feels they have shown some signs of improvement compared to their eighth-place finish last season.

He said: “It’s early days.” At the start of the season I thought there were signs that they had a system. Not a system we would like, but compared to last season.

“When they won the FA Cup you saw bits and pieces. Will they put it all together? And then you look at the games and ask yourself: What do they want to do? They are simply a team full of individuals. Normally you would look and say the players have to be a lot better, and they are, but I think this time we have to look at the manager and say: OK, what’s the game plan against a team?

“The results and performances this season were below average.”

“I can’t believe what I’m seeing.” They have something to work on at the training ground. I don’t know if it’s a lack of trust or a lack of belief in the manager, but something is wrong. It’s getting worse.’