Alan Shearer has revealed whether he has changed his mind about Tottenham Hotspur after their performance at Old Trafford, and has shot a warning to Roberto De Zerbi.

The game at Old Trafford was branded ‘El Sackico’ by parts of the media as two under-fire head coaches went up against one another.

Alan Shearer was among those who said De Zerbi could lose his job if Tottenham suffer a heavy defeat in Manchester, on the back of spending huge amounts in the summer.

The Newcastle legend said last week: “Spurs can’t afford to slip up again. I think being at the bottom of the league and they spent a fortune and they’re not playing good football. They brought players in to try and change what happened last year and the year before and they’re in a worse position at the minute.

“It really depends on the manner of the results as to what action the Spurs board might potentially take in the near future, as at the moment it’s not okay. No one wants to lose games, but I guess it’s the manner and how you lose them or your manner how you don’t win them, which is the standout.

“There have been little glimpses of improvement and we will have to see what reaction they get at the weekend, but he’ll know and everyone else knows that he needs a result. He can’t afford to play Man United and be beaten 2 or 3-0, that’s for sure.”

Alan Shearer says Tottenham have reason to be optimistic after 1-1 draw

While the game may have ended in a draw, it feels like a moral victory for Spurs, given that they came back to level the game despite playing 25 minutes with 10 men.

Tottenham also created far more chances than the home side, and showed how dominant they can be when they play with the kind of intensity De Zerbi demands from them.

Shearer admitted that the performance and the result should give the Lilywhites plenty of confidence going into their next few games.

The pundit told Betfair about Tottenham after their 1-1 draw: “I think there was definitely optimism in the performance against Man United. They missed some big chances, Solanke scored one, but he missed three or four big chances, as did others, and I think when you look at the performance overall, I thought it was much improved, much more energy and much more structure to it.

“I’ve always said the time to worry is when you’re not creating the chances and that wasn’t the case at Old Trafford. They created plenty. So, if that was to keep on going, they could have a little bit of hope, but they desperately need that win.”

Shearer says a relegation battle is on the cards if Spurs do not beat Coventry

Speaking after the game, De Zerbi expressed confidence that his side’s fortunes will turn around in front of goal, given the amount of chances they created.

However, Shearer believes that despite the momentum Spurs have after their late equaliser, they will be staring at another relegation battle if they fail to pick up their first win of the campaign against Coventry on Monday.

The 56-year-old added: “I know they did really well when down to 10 men, coming back and getting a Solanke goal. So, that in itself will give them a bit of confidence, but they need a win massively. If they don’t beat Coventry on Monday, then I think they’ll be in a massive relegation battle, and I think that’s how big a game it is.”