Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer
Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has urged Manchester United to sign a striker sooner rather than later but their No.1 target is out of reach until next summer.
Shearer was in the gantry on Wednesday night as the Reds lost 2-0 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. After frustrating the Gunners in the first half, United conceded both of their goals from set pieces.
The first saw Jurrien Timber flick the ball in at the front post while the second corner resulted in Thomas Partey heading the ball back across to William Saliba who deflected the ball home. While United's defending of Arsenal's world class set pieces ultimately cost them, the Reds struggled to offer a threat at the other end.
READ MORE: United player ratings vs Arsenal
READ MORE: United's next five fixtures compared to rivals
Defenders Diogo Dalot and Matthijs de Ligt had the best chances of the match for United, but it was a slow evening for Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, who both featured. As time was running out, Shearer pointed out who Ruben Amorim needs to sign.
"To get where he needs them to be, he needs to sign a centre-forward," Shearer told Amazon Prime. When asked by his commentary partner if that centre-forward's name was Viktor, he added: "His price is going up by the day."
The player being referred to by the commentary team was Sporting's Viktor Gyokeres who has been fiercely linked with United since Amorim arrived at Old Trafford. The problem for United is that Amorim has already promised he would not sign any players from his old club in January, meaning a move at the end of the season is the earliest time they could bring the Swede to Old Trafford.