Alan Shearer picks out Man Utd FA Cup moment that 'sums up' Ruben Amorim's side

Alan Shearer tore into Manchester United's defending after they allowed Fulham to take a half-time lead at Old Trafford in the FA Cup.

Calvin Bassey opened the scoring for Marco Silva's side moments before the break, reacting quickest to turn a Rodrigo Muniz header beyond Andre Onana. It was just the latest example of United falling asleep at the back this season, with the struggles beginning under Erik ten Hag and continuing since Ruben Amorim took charge.

United kept Fulham at bay in both league games, with the London side missing chances in a pair of 1-0 defeats. Bassey made no mistake this time, though, scoring just his second goal of the season.

Amorim's side gave Ipswich a couple of gifts in midweek before recovering to win 3-2. However, Shearer couldn't help but notice a familiar pattern beginning to emerge.

"That sums Manchester United up," Shearer said during the BBC's coverage of the match. "They lose two headers with what i would say was a pretty simple ball to deal with.

"Having said that, the movement of the Fulham players in and around the 18 yard box was excellent. You see they're [Man Utd] slow to react... You have to be bright, you have to be quicker to react.

"Man Utd players aren't but Fulham are, Bassey in particular. He guides it into the corner. I've just said how poor Man Utd have been defending corners, that sums them up."

Shearer's comments were echoed by former England defender Micah Richards in ths studio at half-time. Richards explained he was impressed with United's defending for much of the first half, making that lapse in concentration even more frustrating for the hosts.

"We talk about concentration... he's left with loads of space," Richards said. "I think it's Muniz who gets the frst header, but when you're marking zonally you still have to open up the body.

"Everyone is looking at the ball. Look at young [Leny] Yoro - i know he's only young but you've got to get on the half-turn. He [Bassey] gets in behind him and then [Noussair] Mazraoui's too late to react. If he stays in that space, Yoro, maybe he gets his header away, but just when you need to concentrate for those vital moments..."