Alan Shearer believes Manchester United should look to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney before the end of the transfer window.
Toney has been left out of each of the Bees' matchday squads so far this season as Thomas Frank prepares for the forward to be sold before the end of the month. The 28-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and shown no inclination to extend his deal.
The ex-Peterborough United star has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in recent months but no offer has appeared forthcoming. Recent weeks have opened up the possibility of a transfer to the Saudi Pro League.
Newcastle United legend and BBC pundit Shearer believes Toney would immediately improve the Red Devils. The Premier League's top goalscorer reckons that ensuring Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount do not have to play as false nines during the absence of Rasmus Hojlund would be benficial
"I like Ivan Toney," Shearer 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 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 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."
Thomas Frank resisted discussing the future of Toney following his side's win over Colchester United. "Similar stand to yesterday. I am not speaking about Ivan," he said.
"I want to speak about the 21 lads in the dressing room who did well to get through to the next round of the Carabao Cup against a Colchester team who deserve a lot of praise and made it difficult for us."