It’s been a rough ride for Manchester United fans lately. What once was a club that dominated English football now finds itself stuck in what could become its worst-ever Premier League season.
And according to football legend Alan Shearer, signing one new player—no matter how promising—won’t be enough to fix things.
Shearer Thinks United Need a Total Rebuild
While United are closing in on a deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, Shearer isn’t convinced that’s going to move the needle.
Speaking with Betfair, the Premier League icon said the Red Devils need much more than just one flashy forward to bounce back.
“Shearer reckons they’ll need at least six or seven more quality additions to make any real difference,” he said. “Cunha’s a good player, sure—but he’s just one piece of a much bigger puzzle.”
United’s Season Is Heading Into the History Books… For All the Wrong Reasons
Under new boss Rúben Amorim, United are languishing in 14th place—just two points above the drop zone.
If things don’t improve soon, this could become their lowest finish in Premier League history, even worse than the eighth-place slump under Erik ten Hag.
Cup runs haven’t provided much comfort either.
United crashed out of the EFL Cup in the quarter-finals against Spurs, and Fulham sent them packing from the FA Cup in the fifth round.
And when it comes to goals, they’re on track to beat a truly unwanted record: scoring fewer than 49 in a league season, which was already a low point during Louis van Gaal’s final year.
So far, they’ve only managed 38 goals in 33 games—and at this rate, they’ll finish the season with just 44.
Cunha Deal Nearly Done, but Will It Be Enough?
Despite all the gloom, United are close to signing Wolves’ top scorer, Matheus Cunha.
He’s got talent, a strong season under his belt, and plenty of versatility.
Amorim has made it clear he’s a big fan, even chatting with the Brazilian forward both at Molineux and again last Sunday at Old Trafford after Wolves grabbed a 1-0 win.
But Shearer warns that one new signing won’t fix a squad that’s been underperforming across the board.
“He’s a maverick, sure, but that’s not a bad thing,” Shearer said.
“All the greats have a bit of an edge—Eric Cantona, George Best… even I had a few scuffles in my career.”
£62.5m Release Clause and PSR Headaches
United will need to cough up £62.5 million to activate Cunha’s release clause, but they’re optimistic about agreeing on personal terms in the next few weeks.
The tricky part? Staying within the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
With tight financial restrictions, United need to be smart about who they bring in—and who they sell.
Other Targets Include Ipswich’s Delap and Napoli’s Osimhen
Cunha isn’t the only player on United’s radar. They’re also chasing Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, though Chelsea and others are now circling and may activate his £30m clause.
Elsewhere, the club has held talks regarding several other high-profile names, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Red Bull Leipzig’s Xavi Simons and Benjamin Sesko, Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze, and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. United are clearly preparing for multiple transfer scenarios.
Outgoings Could Fund the Overhaul
To fund this major rebuild, United may be forced to part with some of their most promising academy stars.
Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo—two homegrown talents—could bring in full profit on the balance sheet if sold, which helps the club stay clear of PSR penalties.
This wouldn’t be the first time United’s done that.
Remember last summer, when they let Scott McTominay go to Napoli? It may be painful, but selling youth might be the only way to afford the revamp Amorim wants.
A Shot at Redemption Through Europe
There’s still one silver lining. United face Athletic Bilbao this week in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.
If they can win the competition, they’ll secure a spot in next season’s Champions League—a much-needed lifeline in an otherwise chaotic campaign.
For now, though, one thing’s clear: signing Matheus Cunha might be a step in the right direction—but if Manchester United want to return to their former glory, they’ll need a whole lot more than that.