Why Cody Gakpo isn't the right fit for Man Utd
Cameron Smith
- Updated: 9 Aug 2022 17:07 CDT
- 4 min read
Cody Gakpo is the latest name to appear on Manchester United's radar, with the PSV Eindhoven forward seen as a possible summer acquisition as they look to bolster their attack.
Erik ten Hag suffered defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in his first competitive game in charge of the Red Devils, and has been linked with several new forwards since that loss.
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A bid for Bologna's Marko Arnautovic was rejected, before Man Utd decided to pull out of the race, while Watford's Ismaila Sarr has also been linked, although he wouldn't fill the hole at centre-forward.
The free transfer departure of Edinson Cavani, combined with Anthony Martial's early season injury and Cristiano Ronaldo's wish to leave has left Man Utd's option up front as threadbare.
Summer signing Christian Eriksen started the loss to Brighton as a false nine, before eventually dropping back into the double pivot in the second-half when Ronaldo entered the fray. That in itself highlights the major problem at the club.
Even if Ronaldo stays at Old Trafford this summer, and Martial recovers from his knee injury quickly, Ten Hag still has limited options in forward areas, specifically through the middle.
As a result of their issues in attack, Man Utd have turned their attention to PSV's Gakpo, with The Telegraph reporting that the Dutch international is a viable signing for the Red Devils.
However, targeting Gakpo is another example of Man Utd's poor recruitment. While the pursuit of Arnautovic was quickly ended after uproar from fans, the identification of the Austrian and Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who looks likely to join, is quite simply poor; not only on the pitch, but off it too.
As for Gakpo, he's a very talented player but he isn't what Man Utd need.
Gakpo is the wrong fit
After contributing 25 goals and assists in 27 Eredivisie appearances last season, Arsenal were alerted by Gakpo, but decided against signing him in favour of adding Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.
His form last year was spectacular, and it's continued into the 2022-23 campaign, with the Dutchman scoring three and assisting two in just four games in all competitions so far this season.
However, he's played almost solely as a left winger for PSV, and it's the position in which he will feature once again this season, with Luuk de Jong through the middle.
While Marcus Rashford's form has been poor recently, he is already an option on the left, as is Jadon Sancho, youngster Alejandro Garnacho, Anthony Elanga and new signing Eriksen.
However, through the middle there is a distinct lack of depth, especially given Ronaldo will leave next summer even if he stays this year. Furthermore, Martial's contract only has two years left to run and may not be extended. In addition to that, the Frenchman only has two goals and one assist in the past 18 months; that's not good enough for a Man Utd side looking to regain Champions league status.
While Gakpo is still just 23 and is extremely talented, he's a left winger and signing him wouldn't address the gaping hole in the centre-forward position.
A defensive midfielder is of urgent need, but signing a striker isn't far behind; Gakpo ticks neither box and is the kind of luxury signing that Man Utd can't afford to make in a period of instability.
