Alan Shearer names one transfer Man Utd must make to address Ruben Amorim flaw

Manchester United have shown signs of improvement and are unbeaten in three matches under Ruben Amorim, but Alan Shearer has identified a major problem that still needs addressing

Ruben Amorim must develop a more coherent way of playing because Manchester United’s limited counter-attacking style won’t get them far, according to Alan Shearer.

United have picked up back-to-back wins in recent days, overcoming Arsenal on penalties in the third round of the FA Cup before coming from behind to beat Southampton in the Premier League. But their performance against Saints left a lot to be desired, with Amorim needing a late hat-trick from Amad to turn around an otherwise dreadful night against the league’s bottom side.

Amorim has implemented his favoured 3-4-3 formation since taking charge in November, but is still struggling to get the right balance. After a run of four straight defeats against Tottenham, Bournemouth, Wolves and Newcastle, Amorim appears to have instructed his side to sit deeper and play on the counter-attack.

And while that has worked of late, Shearer isn’t convinced it can lead United back up the Premier League table from their current position of 12th. “When they went to Arsenal, and went down to 10 men, Man United put in a really impressive, hard, tough performance, they had to stick in there with 10 men, and they had to suffer,” Shearer explained to Betfair.

“The thing is though, I know they won late on, but the match against Southampton showed this, they can play that way against the bigger clubs, like against Arsenal and Liverpool, because sitting and soaking up pressure suits their style of play and suits some of their players, but they aren’t able to play like that at home against Southampton, Wolves, Ipswich, Everton for example – and that’s what he’s got to improve.

“I mean there’s no doubt that he’s probably got his 11 players now that he can say: ‘OK, I know you’re going to give me it all.’ It might not be pretty, but at least he knows he’s got half a chance with those players and they are another club that need a striker, whether they wait for summer or try and bring some in this month, they have to go and invest in a top class centre forward.”

Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee again drew a blank against Southampton and have scored just five goals between them this season. With Marcus Rashford hoping to leave the club in the January transfer window, the need for a new striker is obvious.

Shearer did point out one positive from recent matches, though, pointing out that Harry Maguire was “absolutely superb” in the win over Arsenal. “I think Amorim has gone in there and looked at Harry and probably admired his attitude and who and what he is,” he said.

“That’s why they’ve given him a new deal because he’s up for the fight, he gives everything that he’s got, he’s been a very good professional. I think that system suits him, when he’s got two centre halves in and around him, and he’s got the two wingbacks there to make it a five when they’re defending.”

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