Sheringham blasts Man Utd for missing two players who 'lead by example'

Teddy Sheringham has slammed Manchester United's recruitment for missing players who "lead by example" like Harry Kane.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure in 2013, United have spent over £1.6 billion on new signings but have little silverware to show for their investments.

Under former manager Erik ten Hag alone, the club spent around £600 million on high-profile players like Antony, Mason Mount, Casemiro, and André Onana—many of whom have struggled to justify their hefty price tags.

In contrast, January’s transfer window has seen a more cautious approach, with new manager Ruben Amorim tasked with maximizing the potential of the squad he inherited.

Despite this, United remain linked to high-profile targets, particularly in attack and at left wing-back, as INEOS prepares for future market priorities.

Speaking on the Football’s Greatest podcast with Joe Cole and Ashley Cole, Sheringham expressed his disappointment at United’s recent recruitment strategy and their failure to secure players like Kane and Rice.

“I’m positive about Amorim—I like the way he’s come in and conducted himself,” Sheringham said.

“I like his teams and the way they play. When they turned over Manchester City, you could see the passion and tenacity in their game, which is so important.

“But there’s a long way to go, and for me, they’ve got to get some top players in the club without a doubt. Good players are fine, but when you’re talking about Manchester United, you need top players.”

Sheringham highlighted United’s inability to sign proven talents like Kane and Rice, who he described as “top players who lead by example.”

“Over the last two years, Harry Kane and Declan Rice both became available. They’re proven players, week in and week out, with great professionalism, and United were nowhere near signing them,” he added.

“Kane went to Bayern Munich, and they didn’t even challenge Arsenal for Rice.”

Sheringham compared the club’s current recruitment struggles to the decisive moves made under Ferguson.

“When top players became available during Sir Alex Ferguson’s time, he went out and got them—Gary Pallister, Roy Keane, Paul Ince, Wayne Rooney.

"He said, ‘You’re coming to play for Manchester United because you’re one of the best.’ That’s not happening now,” Sheringham lamented.

“They’ve got to get back on that road of signing top players who lead by example.”

Despite the club’s struggles, Sheringham believes Manchester United can still reclaim their status as a global powerhouse.

“I think the name still holds weight,” he said. “Manchester United is still the club people around the world look out for. Opponents still circle Old Trafford on the fixture list.

“But they’ve fallen so far down the pecking order. They need to restructure and get back on the right path. The manager has to take the next step and turn things around.”

As Amorim works to guide United back to glory, Sheringham’s remarks underline the urgent need for a recruitment strategy that prioritizes proven talent and leadership, hallmarks of the club’s most successful eras.