Manchester United

Alan Shearer: 'Louis van Gaal a defeated man'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 15 February 2016

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal had the look of "a defeated man" after his team's 2-1 loss at Sunderland, according to former England striker Alan Shearer.

Former England striker Alan Shearer has claimed that Louis van Gaal has the look of "a defeated man" as the pressure continues to build on the underperforming Manchester United boss.

Man United's 2-1 defeat at Sunderland in the Premier League at the weekend was their seventh league loss of the season and left them six points off the Champions League positions.

Van Gaal's willingness to back his team has been present throughout the campaign, but Shearer has said that the Dutchman is now showing signs of wear and tear.

"I have admired Louis van Gaal's resilience during tough times over the last three months. He has defended his players and his own philosophy," Shearer wrote in his column for The Sun.

"He has also tried to convince anyone who will listen that problems within Manchester United are a mere media fantasy, despite the evidence - and I am afraid the evidence during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Sunderland was damning.

"Afterwards I did not see a manager ready to fight. I did not see that same resilience. I saw a defeated man. I expected him to come out fighting, but there seems to be no fight left."

Jose Mourinho is widely expected to replace Van Gaal as Man United manager at the end of the current season.