Alan Shearer has reached out to Marcus Rashford as the Manchester United star continues to struggle for form.

The forward begun the season late after undergoing shoulder surgery and has scored just three times since returning.

His declined has mirrored that of his team, who could miss out on the top four this term, but Rashford has been singled out for criticism.

The England star missed a penalty in the Euro 2020 final last summer and has seen his body language called out by former players.

Shearer, the Premier League's record marksman, has too endured goal droughts throughout his career.

As a result he's looking to lend a helping hand and, according to the Sun, phoned Rashford in an effort to do what he can.

Shearer famously turned down a move to the red half of Manchester when he left Blackburn Rovers in the 1990s.

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He opted for a return to his hometown Newcastle but is now attempting to help the Red Devils.

Rashford is yet to score this calendar year and has been in and out of the starting XI.

Ralf Rangnick hauled the striker off during the recent FA Cup win over Aston Villa and conceded he didn't know why the 24-year-old was struggling for form.

"Actually I don’t know," The German when quizzed on the reason behind Rashford's form.

"He’s trying hard, he's in training, he was doing really well in the last couple of days, that's why he was quite rightly in the starting XI.

"I think in the first-half we found him quite often, we also tried to get him into the box, in the second-half that was not often the case and that's why at the end of the game I decided to make two changes with Anthony Elanga and Jesse Lingard.

"For strikers, it's important that they score goals on and off, that there are moments of success, of course, it would be good for Marcus if he could score a goal but as long as he is trying, as long as he is training well I don't see much of a problem."

Rashford must also address his United future sooner rather than later with his contract winding down.

The 24-year-old has 18 months left on his £200,000-a-week deal - although United have the option of a further year.

Rashford would ideally like to remain in Manchester, reports the Daily Mail, but knows his next contract will involve the peak years of his career.

The forward burst onto the scene in 2016 but, with so many options in attack at Old Trafford, is not a guaranteed starter.