Erik ten Hag opens up on Manchester United missing out on Cody Gakpo signing to Liverpool

Erik ten Hag was asked about Cody Gakpo signing with Liverpool following Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening.

Gakpo, 23, was a clear target for Ten Hag in the January transfer window but lost out to Jurgen Klopp’s men for the forward.

United made their first Premier League match following the World Cup comfortable viewing for their fans. Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Fred were on the scoresheet, with Casemiro shining in the midfield.

During his post-match interviews, Ten Hag was questioned about Gakpo and he was stern in his response.

“I don’t talk about individual cases,” he stated on Prime Sport.

“We are looking for a striker, it would be good with so many games coming. We want to stay in all the leagues we are playing in and you need numbers in the squad.”

The United manager also told reporters that he believes his team can compete with the top teams in the Premier League despite seeing Liverpool strengthen with the signing of the Dutch forward.

“I am not looking at other teams, I am looking at our team,” he said. “I am convinced in the players we have, individual + as a team, that we can compete with those other teams.”

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United are aiming to bring in a forward player during the winter transfer window, however, it seems that a loan deal is the only possible solution according to multiple reports.

Joao Felix is available, but The Reds are unwilling to pay the potential £16 million overall fee to Atletico Madrid for a six-month loan deal, as per Paul Hirst of The Times.