Man Utd need to focus on 'one player' in the transfer window says Shearer

Alan Shearer has emphasized that Manchester United must prioritize signing a top-class centre-forward.

United’s lack of firepower upfront has been a glaring issue this season, with criticism squarely directed at their strikers.

Traditional No. 9s Rasmus Højlund and Joshua Zirkzee have managed fewer than five Premier League goals combined.

Højlund, after a promising start, has struggled in recent weeks, while Zirkzee has shown signs of progress, particularly after enduring jeers during a substitution against Newcastle after just 30 minutes.

Acknowledging United’s attacking woes, Shearer urged the club to make significant investments to address the problem. Speaking to Betfair, the Match of the Day pundit said:

“When they went to Arsenal and went down to 10 men, Man United delivered an impressive, hard-fought performance.

They had to dig deep and suffer, and they managed it. But while they won late on, matches like the one against Southampton highlight their struggles.

“They can play that way against bigger clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool—sitting back, soaking up pressure, and hitting on the counter suits them.

However, they can’t replicate that at home against teams like Southampton, Wolves, or Ipswich. That’s where improvement is needed.

“There’s no doubt the manager now has 11 players he can trust to give their all. It might not be pretty, but it gives him half a chance.

"Still, United need a striker. Whether they invest this month or wait until the summer, a top-class centre-forward is essential.”

Two potential targets for United include Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, who has a strong relationship with current manager Ruben Amorim, and Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, whose time in Italy appears to be nearing an end.

Shearer’s call for reinforcements underscores the need for United to bolster their attack and address the glaring gap in their squad.