Alan Shearer has described Manchester United's performances this season as "pretty awful".

Louis van Gaal and his players have come in for criticism throughout the campaign due to poor displays on the pitch and negative results.

United lost their 11th game of the season on Thursday when they were beaten 2-1 by Danish minnows FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.

"They're not very good, that's the problem," Shearer said on BBC Radio 5 live. "I know they have injuries at the moment but they didn't have injuries three or four months ago and they weren't playing particularly well then.

"They haven't entertained their fans, which of course at that football club you have to do, you have to play a certain way and Louis van Gaal hasn't. His remit when he took over was to get them back into the Champions League, where David Moyes failed - he did that but this season has been pretty awful to watch.

"The leadership in that team is alarming - there's no screaming and shouting at other teammates to tell them what to do. It just looks as if the players are not enjoying their football."

United are fifth in the Premier League, six points adrift of a Champions League spot.