Alan Shearer believes Manchester United still need another striker if Michael Carrick’s side are going to take the next step.
United have already spent around £150 million on Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos this summer. The midfield has been given plenty of attention, but Shearer thinks the attack needs more work too.
His comments come after United’s awful opening-day defeat to Hull City. Carrick’s side lost 2-0 away from home and looked short of ideas for long periods. Benjamin Sesko came off the bench in the second half, but the new striker was unable to take the chances that came his way.
For Shearer, that only adds to the argument that Manchester United need another option up front.
Shearer wants more competition at centre-forward
“I do think for them to go to the next level they need another striker,” Shearer told The Metro.
The former Newcastle striker doesn’t think the problem stops in attack. He also has concerns about United’s defence, but believes the lack of another proven centre-forward is another weakness Carrick must address.
“I don’t think they’re good enough defensively, but I do think they’re also lacking in the centre-forward position.”
Sesko wasn’t fit enough to start against Hull and only came on later in the game. Shearer watched his cameo closely.
“Clearly, Sesko wasn’t fit. They brought him on in the second half and he missed a couple of decent chances, but I do think that to go to the next level, they might need another centre-forward.”
“Having said that, I guess you could say that with many clubs. Where do you get them from? That’s the big thing.”
Manchester United have already spent heavily this summer, so another major fee may not be straightforward. But with Champions League football as Manchester United’s opponents were released in the draws, Alan Shearer believes Carrick needs enough depth to cope.
United played only 40 games last season, their lowest total since 1914-15. This time around, they could play as many as 60 if they go deep in Europe and the domestic cups.
Shearer’s own experience tells him that the workload can take its toll.
“It’s not so much the games, it was the travelling that’s for me that was the toughest thing.”
He added: “I quite enjoyed the games. You’re going away; you’re playing in the iconic stadiums against the best teams. I quite enjoyed that.”
“But obviously, there is a greater chance of injury, but I found the travelling that is the tiresome thing that weighs on you mentally as the season drags on.”
Alan Shearer expects a different Manchester United against Ipswich
Before Manchester United worry about the rest of the season, they have to put things right this weekend.
Ipswich Town are next at Old Trafford, giving Michael Carrick a chance to respond after the Hull defeat. Shearer expects to see a completely different attitude.
“It looked to me as if they just rocked up to Hill expecting to win, when in reality, if you’re going away to a newly promoted club, to their ground on the opening day of the season, you know that the minimum you have to do is match them for effort and commitment,” he said.
“Man United didn’t do that from the first minute, so they deserved to be beaten and they were embarrassed.”
Now Manchester United face another promoted side, only this time at home.
“They’ve got the perfect game, I guess, or is it the most difficult game? Another promoted club at home this time. You would expect a different attitude, a different result and a different performance.”
That is exactly what United need. The Hull defeat was bad enough, but another flat display against Ipswich would make the concerns around Carrick’s team much louder.
