Erik ten Hag has expressed his desire to sign a new striker in January but only if it fits the club’s financial and sporting criteria.
After Manchester United’s thumping 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, Ten Hag was quizzed on Cody Gakpo’s imminent transfer to Liverpool.
He refused to talk about any specific player but reiterated his wish to sign a centre-forward in January after Cristiano Ronaldo’s bitter exit.
Ten Hag told Prime Sport (via The Athletic), “We are always in the market. But what you say, it has to match the sporting criteria but also the financial criteria.
We’ll do what we can to bring that player in who we need. I don’t talk about individual cases. We are looking for offensive players. We are looking for a striker.
“It would be good (to get one in) because with the games coming, so many after each other, every three days, it’s tough and we want to play in all the competitions which we’re now in. We want to stay in those leagues.
“So, hopefully we can keep going until the end of the season. You need numbers in the squad to cover them all.”
Not getting a quality striker could derail Manchester United’s campaign
The Red Devils need to sign a centre-forward in January if they want to enjoy a successful season.
The World Cup in the middle of the campaign has created a cramped schedule for club football in the next six months.
United are currently alive in all the competitions and the games will come at a rapid pace.
Following Ronaldo’s departure, Ten Hag is in serious need of attacking reinforcements, preferably a striker.
Gakpo was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford, but the 23-year-old is now poised to join Liverpool.
He would have been a welcome boost for United’s squad, considering he has been in lethal form this season.
However, Liverpool acted at breakneck pace as soon as they were alerted that PSV Eindhoven were open to selling their star forward.
Liverpool fans will be delighted not only due to the arrival of a top-class player but also because their club was able to snatch Gakpo from beneath United’s noses.
The Red Devils need to back their manager by signing a new striker in January. A new centre-forward may be the difference in them finishing in the top four places in the Premier League.
