Alan Shearer was heavily critical of Eric Dier’s part in Manchester United’s winning goal at Old Trafford.
Match of the Day pundit Alan Shearer accused Tottenham Hotspur star Eric Dier of costing his side the game against Manchester United on Saturday.
Substitute Anthony Martial was allowed to run away from the Spurs defender and slot past Hugo Lloris for the only goal in United’s 1-0 victory at Old Trafford.
It was a game of fine margins and former Newcastle United striker Shearer told Match of the Day that Dier let his side down with his lapse of concentration.
“Spurs were all over the place,” the Daily Star quotes Shearer as telling Match of the Day. “They’re all out of position. They needed to be five yards inside to mark their men.
“They didn’t smell the danger. Eric Dier has got to cover. He has got to expect the danger.
“He’s too weak [during the move]. He’s cost them the game.”
Dier is a key player at Tottenham – he has started 80 of their last 86 Premier League games – but his switching between midfield and defence cannot help his positional play.
Mauricio Pochettino chose to use Dier at centre-back on Saturday, dropping Davinson Sanchez from his starting lineup despite the summer signing’s impressive recent performances.
The Colombian gives Tottenham’s three-man defence some extra protection with his superior pace, and that could have bailed them out for Martial’s goal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
