Alan Shearer offers damning verdict on Man Utd's transfer plan despite spending £133.5m

Alan Shearer claims Manchester United are "four top players away from challenging for the top six" despite the Red Devils spending more than £130million on the likes of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.

Ruben Amorim presided over a horror campaign last term as United finished 15th in the Premier League, and marked improvements are now being demanded after a summer on the training pitch and some shrewd recruitment.

The club have been keen to bolster their misfiring attack this summer, alongside Mbeumo and Cunha, Diego Leon has been added, but there are several issues that still exist within the United squad and Shearer claims they have a number of problems areas to address before they can even think about trying to qualify for the Europa League.

United are yet to add a No 9 given the struggles experienced by the likes of Rasmus Hojlund. No new wing-backs have come in despite Amorim playing a 3-4-3 formation and they continue to persevere with Andre Onana in goal.

Shearer told Betfair: "Last year was a disaster for Man United. It will be better than that this season I've no doubt, but how much better will depend on how much business they do between now and the end of the transfer window.

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"There's no doubt they need a top-class centre-forward which would go well with Cunha and Mbuemo so they've still got business to do and it depends on what quality they bring in. Even with just Cunha and Mbuemo, there's no doubt they'll improve on last season. As I said, they're still three, maybe four top players away from challenging for the top six."

Amorim has claimed that, should he begin the season against Arsenal in mid-August with his current squad then he would be happy. However concerns remain around United, who ended up being 24 points off the Champions League spots and 42 off champions Liverpool.

Shearer has also been quick to point out that Mbeumo, one of their major recruits, will leave midseason to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations. That will place more pressure on United's depth.

He said: "Mbuemo will likely be going to AFCON, but you know that when you sign these players. You just have to get on with it and accept it. He'll be a big player for Man United so to be without him for that amount of time will hurt him and Man United but other clubs will have the same problem."

United have reportedly had a loan offer for Emi Martinez turned down. Aston Villa have also made it clear that Ollie Watkins is not for sale. Earlier in the summer Liam Delap, who was on the club's radar, picked a move to Chelsea ahead of a switch to Manchester.

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