Shearer ‘amazed’ by two Pochettino selection mistakes

Matt Stead

Alan Shearer was surprised by two of Mauricio Pochettino’s Tottenham selections in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Spurs slipped to a 1-0 loss at Old Trafford on Saturday thanks to second-half substitute Anthony Martial’s late strike.

You can read 16 Conclusions from the game, which leaves Spurs in third, three points behind United.

Shearer, speaking on Match of the Day, has criticised Pochettino for not starting Fernando Llorente and Davinson Sanchez.

“I was very surprised today that he didn’t play Llorente,” said the pundit. “You pay a lot of money to bring him in because of the situation with Harry Kane when he’s injured, so I was amazed he didn’t start him.

“Also, Davinson Sanchez didn’t play either, which was a big surprise as he’s been doing reasonably well.”

Shearer also blasted Tottenham’s defending for the winning goal, which saw each of Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Eric Dier make mistakes.

“Spurs were all over the place. All out of position. They needed to be five yards inside to mark their men,” he said.

“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.

“I thought they missed a trick in the week [in the 3-2 home defeat to West Ham] as the League Cup was their best chance of a trophy.”