Alan Shearer suspects there have been leaks from the Manchester United camp as the Premier League side continue their search for a new striker.
United have made just three new signings this summer, and none since Lisandro Martinez's arrival from Ajax in July. However, they're still down to the bare bones in attack, with Anthony Martial injured and Cristiano Ronaldo underwhelming so far after a curtailed pre-season.
At least nine names have been linked with United in their problem position, including Alvaro Morata and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. One man who seemingly won't be moving to Old Trafford is Marko Arnautovic, despite reports of a potential reunion with Ten Hag after their time together at Twente, and Shearer suggested there may have been efforts to gauge the mood before committing to a move for the Bologna frontman.
"I’m convinced that someone from Man United leaked the story linking them with Arnautovic, just to see what the reaction was," Shearer said on Match of the Day. "The reaction was that bad that they then had to pull out and I’m pretty convinced.
"I think that sort of sums up where United are. - they’re in a mess and it’s going to take time, an unbelievable amount of money to get things right inside the football club and in terms of the right recruitment and it’s going to take a lot of patience from the Manchester United fans because of where they are now to where they want to be - miles away.
Arnautovic's brother and agent Danijel confirmed a bid had come in from a "well known club," understood to be United, However, after a backlash from fans of the Premier League club, the deal was put to one side.
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Former West Ham United and Stoke City forward Arnautovic was accused of using an anti-Albanian slur during an appearance for Austria against North Macedonia at Euro 2020. He was handed a one-match ban by UEFA, but denied allegations of racism.
According to The Athletic, a United fan of North Macedonian descent contacted the club to raise questions about Arnautovic's past. A number of other supporters were said to have made direct contact with chief executive Richard Arnold.
"The market is the market," Arnautovic said in a press conference when quizzed about links with the Premier League club. "I’ve been in the world of football for many years and I know there could be clubs interested during the transfer window. But now I am focused on Bologna."
