‘Tough’… Alan Shearer names Manchester United legend as one of his most difficult opponents

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Alan Shearer has named a Manchester United legend as one of the toughest opponents he has ever faced.

Despite coming close more than once, Alan Shearer never did play for Manchester United so instead had plenty of battles with them on the pitch.

The legendary striker remains the Premier League’s record goal-scorer at 260 goals, with his record intact for now after Harry Kane left for Bayern Munich in the summer.

Erling Haaland may well have Shearer sweating, though, with the Norwegian sensational already netting 54 goals in less than two seasons in England.

Other than a select few, Haaland certainly isn’t coming up against the quality of defender Shearer faced back in the day, though.

The former Blackburn and Newcastle striker has named one former United centre-back as one of the most difficult defenders he ever faced.

Alan Shearer names his toughest opponents

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Shearer was asked which defender was the most challenging to score against.

He replied: “Tony Adams, Tony Adams for me it was definitely. Jaap Stam was tough as well.”

Gary Lineker also named a United great as one of his toughest opponents. He said: “Probably from my time Des Walker and Paul McGrath.

“He was at Villa I struggled against him. Very good. “

Who is Manchester United’s best centre-back ever?

United are blessed to have had some incredible centre-backs down the years.

Stam and McGrath are just two. From a similar era, you could add Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister to the list and a few decades back you have Bill Foulkes.

Then you go to the modern day where you have the legendary partnership of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

The quality of United’s centre-backs has declined somewhat today, though. Lisandro Martinez could reach that level if he could stay fit but he stands alone out of the current crop.

Raphael Varane has enjoyed a legendary career but his greatness was at Real Madrid rather than Old Trafford.

Out of the contenders, Stam may well go down as United’s best-ever centre-back.