Man Utd's Ivan Toney decision and what left Alan Shearer 'surprised'

Manchester United ultimately decided not to pursue a deal for Ivan Toney this summer as the striker nears a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli.

The apparent decision to leave Brentford's £40million-rated man alone shocked Premier League icon Alan Shearer, who believed the England striker could've added much-needed potency to the Red Devils' attack.

Erik ten Hag has already strengthened multiple areas of his squad during this window, bringing in defenders Matthjs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and the now-injured Leny Yoro, as well as adding Joshua Zirkzee to his forward line in a £36.5m deal.

However, Shearer believes that just two goals in their opening two league matches isn't ideal for United, and is surprised that a move for the reduced-price Toney was never made.

"I like Ivan Toney - he's an excellent player," Shearer said, speaking to Betfair. "Obviously, he knows the Premier League, he knows what it's about and he's proven at that level. He's an England international too.

"He only has one year left on his contract, and I understand why some players would want to go to Saudi Arabia, but for someone like him who's in the prime of his career, he's got another four or five years ahead of him. I think he has a lot to offer."

After a range of rumoured suitors, including Arsenal, Tottenham, and Chelsea, seemingly passing up the chance to sign wantaway Toney, he is now on the verge of moving to Saudi Arabia in a deal that will reportedly see him pocket £16m-a-year.

If the deal goes through, the 28-year-old will join former Premier League stars Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez at the club, as well as ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.

"I am slightly surprised - I think he'd do pretty well at Old Trafford," Shearer continued. "I thought they [United] were poor in forward areas against Brighton and without Hojlund.

"I know they've signed Zirkzee, but they're playing Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount as two false nines, and I'm not sure that's worked for them. They got the goal from Zirkzee against Fulham and then just the one last week, so it hasn't quite clicked for them yet in forward positions."

Toney made his English top-flight debut in 2021, scoring an impressive 12 goals during his first campaign. A year later, he took a step up, scoring 20 and establishing himself as one of the league's top strikers - and one who would likely contribute goals to United's front line.

An eight-month ban in 2023 for breaches of the FA's betting rules, however, stunted his progression, and perhaps that baggage put potential suitors off an expensive deal.

Toney then made it clear in January that he wanted to play for a top English club. However, no such move has materialised, and even though Brentford halved their price from the initial £80m it was reported would take to prise him away at the beginning of the window, the striker looks like he'll be leaving the Premier League behind - much to Shearer's dismay.