TV pundit Alan Shearer believes short-term thinking at Manchester United has been a key cause of the club’s poor recruitment in the transfer market.

Speaking about what the Red Devils need to do to improve on a disappointing season which has seen them finish sixth, the former England striker said:

“A lot of their signings have been short-term rather than thinking about long-term. A lot of them have been panic buys, they need to sit and have a long hard think.”

“They need a clear-out, and they need to get young hungry players who want to play for that football club, unlike some of the signings they’ve made.”

With reports linking the club with the likes of Swansea winger Daniel James, it appears United have already taken heed of that advice.

However, it could be a few transfer windows before the squad is transformed into a team full of lively, hungry younger players.

Eleven of United’s first team squad are 29 years of age or over, but the likes of Ander Herrera, Juan Mata and Antonio Valencia are all expected to leave this summer.

Shearer’s views are certainly in line with a lot of United supporters who want to see young players replacing some of those departing Old Trafford.