Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer has insisted that Manchester United need to add a top class centre-forward to their squad either in the January or summer transfer windows.

The Reds have struggled to find the back of the net this season with the blame pointed firmly at their strikers. United's two traditional No.9s Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have failed to score more than five goals between themselves in the Premier League.

Hojlund has been particularly disappointing in recent weeks after starting his United career promisingly. Meanwhile, Zirkzee has shown signs of improvement after being jeered off the pitch against Newcastle after only 30 minutes.

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With United's struggles up front clear, Shearer is adamant that United need to splash the cash soon to strengthen their squad. "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," the Match of the Day pundit told 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 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."

Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres is the obvious option for the Reds considering the pre-existing relationship he holds with manager Ruben Amorim. Napoli's Victor Osimhen may also be an option with his time in Italy all but over.