Top News

Former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes the club are still short of two top-quality players if they want to compete with the elite sides.

Rooney feels Manchester United need another dependable goalscorer alongside Benjamin Sesko, and he also believes the squad requires investment in a quality full-back. Luke Shaw is unlikely to be available for every match, and the team could have done with another option in that area.

Benjamin Sesko of Manchester United goes down.

Manchester United need a clinical finisher in the squad if they are to challenge for the biggest trophies. Sesko is still young and is continuing to adapt to English football. He will need time before he develops into a prolific attacking option for Manchester United. Bringing in another striker would have been ideal for them this summer. However, Manchester United mainly concentrated on strengthening the midfield during the summer window.

At the same time, they were linked with players such as Lewis Hall from Newcastle United. It was always obvious that they needed another left-back, but they did not make the additions required.

Luke Shaw of Manchester United in action.

According to their former striker, the number nine position and the full-back role were the two errors Manchester United made during their transfer window.

Speaking on the Stick to United podcast, Rooney said: “I just felt, and the Everton game showed me what I felt as well, they [United] were the better team, had a lot of control in the game, but a lack of a No 9, so for whatever reason Sesko is not fully fit, he missed pre-season. “[They’re] lacking a No 9, full-back position in terms of competition for places.”

It remains to be seen whether Manchester United can solve that issue in January. Shaw is a quality player, but they cannot expect him to play every game given his injury record, and they will also need to rotate the squad.