Should Manchester United Be Pursuing PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo?

With the new that Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo have mutually parted ways, Erik Ten Hag will be in the market for a new centre forward to see his team through the second half of the season.

It came to a shock to many to see Ronaldo come out in the visceral manner that he did just before the World Cup began in his scathing interview with Piers Morgan. In the interview, he criticised the current manager, Ten Hag, the facilities of Manchester United and how they have not improved since he left in 2009, as well as the Glazer family ownership of the club.

The Red Devils’ management knew that there was going to be an interview done at some point, but not in the manner that it had been conducted in. This has led the club to back their manager and finally part ways with the Portugal captain. Enough was enough and the circus had to end.

With that being said, Man United will now be prioritising the number nine position as an area that they need to seek out reinforcement in. Still in all available competitions heading into the New Year, the Red Devils need competition across all positions in the team.

Anthony Martial has given the club a major boost with his return to fitness, but question marks are still out there over his sustained fitness and what he can bring to the team as the leading centre forward.

Marcus Rashford can of course play through the middle, but he is preferred out wide on the left by Ten Hag, and will continue playing there for as long as he can. His link-up play with Martial has been impressive for when the two are on the pitch together.

That brings Manchester United sourcing players outside of their own ranks and into the European market. They will want to secure a long-term centre forward for Ten Hag, which could be in the form Cody Gakpo.

Perhaps, again, not an out and out traditional number nine given he has played every game for PSV Eindhoven as a left winger, but 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 appearances throughout all competitions suggests a player that knows how to score.

Having also made his World Cup debut and scored an absolutely crucial goal against Senegal in it this week as well, Gakpo’s stock continues to rise which makes PSV increasingly happy as he remains under contract until 2026.

Gakpo has the versatility – similarly with Rashford – to play across the front three if necessary, but could be easily moulded by Ten Hag as Manchester United’s centre forward. Having the aerial prowess that Gakpo possesses is also another added bonus.

It is crystal clear – hence Ronaldo’s departure – that Ten Hag wants to play a more idealistic way with pressing and runners in the team that work as a unit. With his experience in the Eredivisie and having closely monitored Gakpo, it is no surprise to hear that Manchester United have held an interest in him since the Dutch manager took the job.

PSV are going to be demanding in excess of £45 million, especially if Gakpo continues to score and positively effect Netherlands’ campaign in the World Cup. Time will tell whether Manchester United pull the trigger and replace Ronaldo in January.