Shearer points finger at Man Utd over failed transfer that left him 'surprised'

Alan Shearer has admitted his surprise that Manchester United didn't push to sign Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window.

United were busy on deadline day as they brought in young starlet Sekou Kone and PSG's defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte, while a handful of players - including Scott McTominay and Jadon Sancho - made their way out of Old Trafford.

The club did make a series of impressive signings this summer, including young defender Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and forward Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna, but Shearer feels Toney would have been a great addition to Erik ten Hag's squad and believes they still need more firepower after losing Rasmus Hojlund to injury.

England forward Toney ended up leaving Brentford for Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli in a shock £40million switch despite huge speculation linking him with a number of top Premier League sides, including United.

"I like Ivan Toney," he told Betfair. "I think he can do a really good job for someone - he's an excellent player. 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 [had] 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 and I would hope that he stays in English football because I think he has a lot to offer.

"I am slightly surprised that Man United haven't enquired about him. Maybe they have, maybe there's something brewing behind the scenes that we don't know about, but I think he'd do pretty well at Old Trafford.

"I thought they 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 up to now, 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, and I think Ivan Toney would be a really good option for them."

Toney had interest from both Arsenal and Chelsea too and his switch to the Middle East came as a shock, especially given the important part he played in England reaching the Euro 2024 final this summer.

The 24-year-old has signed a deal until 2028, with the club unveiling him using a picture of him sitting in the locker room, writing on X: "He speaks the “ball hitting the back of the net” language. Welcome to Al-Ahli, Ivan Toney!"