Alan Shearer makes Manchester United vs Tottenham prediction

Alan Shearer has predicted the points will be shared between Manchester United and Tottenham in what he describes as ‘the biggest game’ of the weekend’s Premier League action.

It has proven an immensely disappointing start to the season for both clubs heading into Saturday’s crunch match at Old Trafford, with Michael Carrick and Roberto De Zerbi already under intense scrutiny at this embryonic stage of the campaign.

There had been a renewed sense of optimism amongst United’s fanbase after Carrick picked up the pieces from Ruben Amorim to steer his side to an impressive third-placed finish – and Champions League qualification – last term.

However, results and performances have dipped dramatically since Carrick was appointed on a full-time basis in the summer, leaving the Red Devils languishing down in 12th with just five points to their name.

Spurs have endured an even tougher time after clinging onto their Premier League status last season and sit rock-bottom of the table, still looking for their first victory after picking up two draws and three losses while managing only two goals.

De Zerbi’s men may take encouragement from their late fightback against Aston Villa before the international break, but it was ultimately in vain, and another defeat will signal alarm bells in north London.

Previewing the high-stakes contest, ex-England and Newcastle striker Shearer told Betfair: ‘I know you’ve got Liverpool versus Manchester City, which everyone’s going to have eyes on for obvious reasons, but I think in terms of the size of the result, this is the biggest one of the weekend.

‘If either club were to lose in whatever fashion they were to lose, then it could determine someone’s job. Unfortunately, I think it’s that big a game in that matter.

‘It is a difficult question to answer on who this game means more to, I guess there’s an argument for both clubs because of what Spurs have spent, because of what Man United didn’t spend, and could have spent.

‘So, there’s an argument to say it’s huge game for both football clubs and for both managers because you can imagine the pressure that will be ramped up if, in whatever way, either team were to lose the game.’

According to Shearer, the Premier League’s all-time top goalscorer, Spurs simply ‘can’t afford’ to stumble again at this early stage of the campaign, especially given how much the club spent in the summer transfer window.

The north Londoners have only managed two goals in the English top flight this season, both of which came in defeat last time out at the hands of Aston Villa.

‘Spurs can’t afford to slip up again. I think being at bottom of the league and they spent a fortune and they’re not playing good football,’ he added.

‘They brought players in to try and change what happened last year and the year before and they’re in a worse position at the minute.

‘De Zerbi would have been chomping at the bit to have a game but also it would have got him to work with a few more of his players, albeit there would be a lot away on international duty. So, it’s a massive game for Spurs and for Man United.

‘De Zerbi did a great job, didn’t he, last year, in keeping them up in the style that he did and clearly, as part of that, he got the contract he wanted and he got them spending a fortune on players that he wanted and demanded because he had huge power and in a huge position of strength, but he needs to get results now.

‘I guess he’ll be the first to tell you that he’ll need to get results and he needs to get them quickly.’

Shearer has seen some ‘glimpses of improvement’ in Tottenham’s recent performances but believes results must come above all else when looking at the situation from De Zerbi’s perspective.

‘It really depends on the manner of the results as to what action the Spurs board might potentially take in the near future, as at the moment it’s not okay,’ he continued.

‘No one wants to lose games, but I guess it’s the manner and how you lose them or your manner how you don’t win them, which is the standout.

‘There have been little glimpses of improvement and we will have to see what reaction they get at the weekend, but he’ll know and everyone else knows that he needs a result. He can’t afford to play Man United and be beaten 2 or 3-0, that’s for sure.’

Pushed for a score prediction, Shearer went on: ‘You can imagine the noise at Old Trafford around Carrick if United lose on Saturday. He did a great job last year in terms of getting them into Champions League football, he did a great job in just calming the situation down.

‘Then they stuck with him, didn’t really back him as much as they could have and should have in the summer, and again, you just imagine the noise after three weeks, after the start to the season they’ve had, and if Spurs beat them, who haven’t won a game all season.

‘They’ve got Atletico Madrid on Tuesday evening as well. So, they’ve got two massive games and games that they need to get something out of and win. Whether they’ve got enough to do that, we’ll have to wait and see but it is a huge game for both clubs. You can’t underestimate it.

‘I think it’ll probably be a score draw. I think it could be 1-1 or 2-2, which I guess is a better result for the away team than it is for the home team.’

There have been flashes of the old Marcus Rashford across United’s rocky start to the season, with the forward recalled to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad – before withdrawing again through injury last month.

‘I think he’s done alright. He’s not blown the league away, has he? I didn’t really expect him to; he’s just done okay,’ Shearer said of Rashford’s start following the attacker’s return from a season-long loan spell with Barcelona.

‘I think there’s nothing to shout or scream about, is there?

‘It is like a revolving door with Marcus. There comes a time where you say, I’ve got to do it myself. You can’t rely on, well, I have to leave Man United. He has to go and prove he can do it. He has to do it now rather than think, well, if it doesn’t work out, I’m leaving.

‘He chose to go back there for whatever reason. Barcelona didn’t want him. They wanted Anthony Gordon at the price that they were willing to pay and Anthony Gordon’s doing really well there at Barcelona.

‘It’s up to Marcus whether he does it or not now. I don’t know whether he can, whether he wants to, whether he will do but he gets an awful lot of time in terms of media time for someone who hasn’t performed that well.

‘He needs to get that first goal. I guess he’ll need to get that one and then get going again and get playing but we all know there’s the talent in there. It’s just whether we see it enough or not.’

United came away 2-0 winners from the same game last season, with Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes getting on the scoresheet at the Theatre of Dreams.

The points were shared in the reverse fixture at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, meanwhile, as Richarlison netted in stoppage time, only for Matthijs de Ligt to head home a last-gasp equaliser.

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