Cody Gakpo is in fantastic form for club and country
If acquiring a new striker during the January transfer window was previously regarded by Manchester United as a possibility, then doing so now needs to be seen as a priority rather than a possibility.
Anthony Martial will be the only recognized central attacking option for them when they return to action the following month, and they may not have the services of Marcus Rashford and Antony depending on how far their respective nations go in the World Cup. When they return to action, next month, they will be playing again.
Even if their wingers are available again, it appears that they have a depleted forward line. Martial has already suffered three separate injuries this season and cannot be relied upon as a long-term option; Cristiano Ronaldo will most likely never play for the club again; and youngster Charlie McNeill is still too raw of a talent to be thrown in at this stage in his career. Martial, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Charlie McNeill all have a long way to go before they can be considered reliable long-term options.
As part of their recruitment process, Manchester United are reportedly continuing to compile long and shortlists of targets, with the goal of signing a striker being their top priority for the upcoming year, according to sources who spoke with the Manchester Evening News.
Prior to Ronaldo's interview, there was already a growing clamor among the United fanbase to sign a forward in the January transfer window. However, the club's preference has always been to begin the next phase of their rebuild in the summer. Ronaldo's interview fueled that clamor.
Training in the Netherlands
The Netherlands kicked off their 2018 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over Senegal. The following day, the Dutch team held a training session at Doha University to build on their victory.
The problem for United is that the outcome of the entire season may depend on whether or not they are successful in signing a new forward at the beginning of the following year. However, signing a top target in the middle of the season appears to be nearly impossible and would likely involve a fee that is significantly higher than a player's actual value.
Victor Osimhen is one of the leading targets for United at this stage; however, he is the perfect illustration of the type of player that they would have difficulty trying to sign in the middle of the season. The Nigerian forward has scored 10 goals in 14 matches for Napoli, who are currently first in Serie A and have advanced to the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
Then there is Cody Gakpo, who scored the first goal in the Netherlands' late double against Senegal on Monday. Gakpo, who was also a target for United this past summer, scored the first goal in the late double that the Netherlands scored against Senegal.
The 23-year-old already has 13 goals and 17 assists in 24 appearances this season, and those statistics aren't to be sniffed at given the success of other former Eredivisie players on the United side under Erik ten Hag.
United will continue to keep an eye on Gakpo as they look to add a new forward to their roster in the coming season. However, they may need to move quickly in order to secure his services if he maintains his goal-scoring streak in the World Cup.
Earlier in the year, he divulged the following information: "I was close to leaving, and I spoke to Erik ten Hag a few times at Manchester United." "Unfortunately, the transfer did not go through in the end, which is unfortunate for both me and my career progression, as well as for Manchester United, which is one of the most prestigious clubs in the world."
Gakpo continues to fall short of United's expectations for a natural center forward who can lead their attacks and serve as the primary focal point in attack. This presents a problem for United, who are trying to find a solution.
However, he has frequently drifted into central areas as part of a fluid forward line that focuses on mobility and movement to bamboozle defenses. This season, he has started on the left wing in all but one of his club appearances, but he has made the rest of his appearances from the left wing position.
If that is the type of attacker that Ten Hag is looking for, then there are few players in world football who are performing better than the Dutch forward right now. On the other hand, if they want a traditional central striker, then they might need to look elsewhere.
When it comes to recommending players for United to sign, Ten Hag's hand has certainly been strengthened thanks to the accomplishments of United's summer signings as well as Gakpo's own remarkable form this season.
It is almost certain that Gakpo will be switching teams in the following year; however, if United are looking for a natural striker, he may not be the best option for them.
