Former Manchester United striker, Teddy Sheringham, has slammed the club for what he perceives as a “damning lack of ambition” in failing to secure the signings of England talents Harry Kane and Declan Rice last summer.

Kane and Rice both made high-profile moves before the 2023-24 season, with the striker leaving Tottenham for Bayern Munich and the midfielder transferring from West Ham to Arsenal.

Since joining Bayern, Kane has delivered an outstanding performance, netting an impressive 44 goals in 44 appearances and aiding Thomas Tuchel’s team in reaching the Champions League semi-finals.

Similarly, Rice has been instrumental for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, featuring in nearly every Premier League game as the Gunners challenge Manchester City for the title.

Sheringham believes Manchester United, currently sitting eighth in the Premier League, are suffering from the absence of players like Kane and Rice.

He sees the failure to secure their signings as a “wake-up” call for his former club.

“I said at the start of the season, it was a damning lack of ambition for a club of Manchester United’s size not to be in the hunt for Harry Kane and Declan Rice,” Sheringham told Genting Casino.

“In the old days, Fergie [Sir Alex Ferguson] would have snapped both of those players up. These are two top, top players at Premier League and international level.”