Thomas Hein
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag will inevitably be linked with several players from his native Holland. Earlier this season, he swooped for his former Ajax forward Antony who has since enjoyed a positive start to life at Old Trafford.
Rumours of a Manchester United bid for Cody Gakpo are nothing new. They’ve emerged since the end of the summer transfer window when many of the top European clubs were linked.
The PSV striker’s reported fee continues to rise and it would climb further if the player makes a mark at the World Cup. United regularly appear in the gossip columns but is Cody Gakpo really needed at the club?
Gakpo’s Rise
It’s interesting to note how Cody Gakpo’s stock has risen in recent months. At the start of that summer transfer window. Leeds United, Leicester City and Nottingham Forest were among those linked with a move for the Dutch striker.
A player of his talent doesn’t intend to face a relegation battle in the Premier League. At the end of that window, Manchester United were being mentioned, along with the likes of AC Milan and Real Madrid.
Gakpo’s overall striking record is a modest one and he averages around a goal every three games since making his debut for PSV Eindhoven in 2017. He is, however, only 23 and his returns since the start of the new season are seriously impressive.
In his first ten Eredivisie matches of 2022/23, the striker has found the net on no fewer than nine occasions. Those goals contribute to a record of 13 in 18 games across all competitions and lead to massive interest in the Netherlands international.
United Targets
Goals win games and Manchester United have struggled to find an effective striker since Romelu Lukaku left for Inter Milan in 2019. Antony’s record at Ajax initially suggested that he wasn’t the man for the job, but three goals in his opening three United games may indicate otherwise.
The team needs those goals to keep them on course across the 2022/23 season. The minimum target for Ten Hag and his men is to finish inside the top four while challenging for the Europa League and the domestic knockout competitions.
The team’s greatest chance, according to the best football betting sites affiliated with ArabianBetting.com, lies in the Europa League. After their strong start to the EPL season, Arsenal are the favourites for this trophy, but Manchester United are only just behind in second place.
Victory in the Europa League offers a path into the UCL and Ten Hag will take this competition very seriously. As the rounds progress, the odds will adjust and visitors to the ArabianBetting website can see them moving in real time.
If they want to get more involved, news and opinion articles, along with handy betting guides, can help readers to reach a decision. When the time comes, all sportsbooks mentioned will accept new account holders, subject to eligibility.
There will generally be a welcome offer in place. Qualifying bets are required and a range of funding options can assist with that. Customer services can help out if they are needed and there will be other benefits to come.
Ongoing bonuses will usually be accessible while most outlets offer live markets and mobile betting via an app. It’s a handy site for all football betting, but would Manchester United be more competitive if Cody Gakpo arrived in January?
Is Cody Gakpo Needed at Manchester United?
No top club will turn down the opportunity of signing a prolific young striker. The issue for Manchester United, and others, concerns the price tag attached to Cody Gakpo.
From the cheaper early days of last summer, current reports now claim that it will take £40 million to acquire the player’s signature in the region. The figure is well within United’s capabilities but is Gakpo really worth the price?
There is also the question of Antony who has enjoyed a solid start to his career in England. If he can maintain that opening and is backed up by regular goals from Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Cristiano Ronaldo, Cody Gakpo may well be surplus to requirements.
