Former Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer reckons that Ruben Amorim does not want either Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee at Manchester United for the long-term.
Amorim's wholesale changes to the squad at Old Trafford commenced in the January transfer window with Antony and Marcus Rashford the main players to depart the club. However, with the winter period restrictive for managers, more business is expected next summer as the recently-appointed Portuguese head coach attempts to make more alterations to the group at his disposal.
The Manchester Evening News understands United decided not to buy a striker in the January transfer window because they planned to save their money until the summer when further purchases could be made. On Sunday, the Reds even started without a recognised centre-forward in their 2-0 defeat to Crystal Palace with Hojlund and Zirkzee forced to settle for a place on their substitutes bench at Old Trafford.
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Speaking to Betfair, Shearer believes that this tactical decision from Amorim suggests that Hojlund and Zirkzee's days at United are numbered. "Ruben Amorim opted for [Kobbie] Mainoo in the false nine position against Crystal Palace at the weekend and I imagine Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee will be feeling very flat," he explained.
"They'll be thinking whether or not they actually belong or want to be at the football club when you've got a new manager playing a midfielder as a false nine ahead of centre-forwards. Hojlund and Zirkzee will be feeling very flat and there'll be a lot of thoughts going through their minds about whether they want to be there and whether Amorim actually rates them or wants them.
"Clearly, he doesn't [want or rate them] because he needs results, which he isn't getting, and yet he's not playing either forward. You never, ever get a free-hit, but I think such are the deep-rooted problems at that football club that someone has had to come in and be given the time to rip it apart.
"I know they signed a new full-back [Patrick Dorgu] in January but we know that it's going to take more than one transfer window to get that club right and I think they'll have a lot more pain before there'll have any joy." United return to action on Friday night when they host Leicester City in the FA Cup fourth round (8pm).
