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The Manchester United squad believed signing a new centre-forward was a bigger priority than bringing in a left-back during the summer transfer window, Laurie Whitwell has revealed.

Manchester United spent much of the summer concentrating on reshaping their midfield, completing deals for Youri Tielemans, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos. They also paid £8million to sign England Under-18 winger Tynan Thompson from Tottenham Hotspur, while goalkeeper Karl Darlow arrived on a free transfer.

Jason Wilcox, Manchester United’s director of football, has faced criticism for not replacing Joshua Zirkzee with a striker capable of offering Benjamin Sesko stronger cover and competition, and also for choosing not to recruit a left-back.

Many United supporters felt the club needed solid backup for Luke Shaw, particularly with the team back in the Champions League, but the Red Devils believe players such as Patrick Dorgu, Baleba, Noussair Mazraoui and Diogo Dalot can provide enough cover in that position.

Speaking on the Talk of the Devils podcast, Whitwell explained what the Manchester United squad were thinking while the transfer window was still open.

He said: “From people I’ve spoken to, the players were looking at that area [striker] and saying that Sesko needs somebody else to alternate with, a focal point which could allow Mbeumo and Cunha to adopt their more natural positions.

“From what I can tell, left-back wasn’t as pressing in the players’ minds because of their faith in Luke Shaw, and he’s got support from the squad for all the time he’s been at the club.”

Manchester United turned down a late deadline-day approach from Everton for Zirkzee.

In the days before the transfer deadline, Zirkzee received a loan-to-buy proposal from Fiorentina, while Juventus, Napoli and Como also showed interest in him.

Whitwell expects Manchester United to “revisit” Zirkzee’s situation in January.

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and Freiburg forward Igor Matanovic have emerged as two possible options to replace the Dutchman at Old Trafford.

Fellow journalist Ben Jacobs believes Michael Carrick’s side could move quickly when the winter transfer window opens.

“For United, I think they’re going to have urgency in January,” he told The United Stand.

“If they don’t move in January and they leave everything until the summer, that could have a really detrimental knock-on effect on the second half of this season.”