Manchester United have no excuse for strengthening a direct rival by letting slip the chance to sign 'level raiser' Cody Gakpo

Under their noses, Liverpool have secured the signing of one of the hottest properties in the world of football today and knowing Cody Gakpo wanted a move to Manchester United will always make the deal a big failure on United's part.

23year old Gakpo has been linked with a move to Old Trafford since last summer while Erik Ten Hag is a huge fan of the Dutchman. However, United could not follow their interest following the late signing of Antony from Ajax.

Even before Liverpool tabled a bid to Ajax, the player was adamant of his love to play for United, under Erik Ten Hag who had scouted him since his Ajax days. Gakpo was even recommended to Ajax as replacement Antony’s replacement but that did not materialize.

PSV are in need of the money to solve inner financial troubles and Gakpo, being their hottest prospect, they put forward for sale, demanding at least €50 million from prospective suitors.

However, no offer was received despite the endless speculations of interests from Manchester United until a few days ago, when PSV offered the player to them. And who will not be willing to take chance unless you are Manchester United, apparently.

Now on his way to United's fierce rival in Liverpool and instead of conceding defeat in what could have been a statement signing, the feeling around the club is that they are better off him due to the crop of players they currently parade.

This is an easy way to make yourself feel better as though they have done well by letting him move elsewhere but realistically, it is a big disappointment. Albeit Gapko seemed to want United more than the club wanted him, it is the club that needs him more than he actually needed them.

What even are the options United have that made them forgo the signing of Cody Gakpo ?

Acceptable that options could be more like the Dutchman in style but never in quality moreso consistency. Marcus Rashford is the only player who may be come close to Gakpo but in consistency, the Englishman is floored.

Anthony Martial and Anthony Elanga are not even in the bracket. Albeit we understood the situation that surrounded the former prior to his arrival at Old Trafford but even then, he was not close to the level of Cody Gakpo.

Anthony Elanga is not considered by many as a player who should be at the club and rightly so because a club of Man United’s statue deserves much better and you'd like to ask yourself in how many of the other top sides in the league will Elanga even get near the first team.

Alejandro Garnacho is undisputably talented but is he ready to shoulder the responsibilities of team with shallow attack in the intensity of the Premier League ? May be he has started to show glimpse what he can do but at the same time, the Argentine will need protection in other to be able to reach his peak.

Other than those three, only Antony, who arrived from Ajax last summer is remain. The Brazilian made a great start to life in England, scoring in each of his first three league games and since then, he is on a run of ten games without a goal contribution.

Without a doubt a quality player but will need more company and competition to push him to his best and sadly, right now, there's always a feeling of incompleteness whenever the Brazilian isn't starting, because of the inconsistency of the other players.

Jadon Sancho has endured a lacklustre time at the club so far and has decided to take time off, citing that he will for the time being train alone until he deemed himself mentally fit to return and play for the club.

At maximum, United have three attackers combined and yet, not even one can be outrightly proclaimed to be better than Gakpo. He is way ahead of many and even if the Premier League is brand new challenge, the new Liverpool man has proven up to the task in Europe and the World Cup.

Since his promotion to the senior team at PSV, he has been a consistent performer for the club and lately that he has been able to feature on the bigger stage, he not only rise to the occasion but star as the best of the lot.

Arguably The Netherlands’ best player in the just concluded FIFA World Cup in Qatar and before the tournament, no player has more goal contribution than him across all club competitions in Europe top seven leagues.

Undeniably, Manchester United need a No.9 more than they need wingers but who passes the chance to aquire an obvious level raiser, who wants to be a part of your project then watch him join a direct rival domestically and for a place in the Champions League ? Just Man United things.

Gakpo’s versatility makes him a dream player for any club and while United currently have no reliable option as striker due to the frequent injuries to Anthony Martial, Gakpo can easily make up for that and even do much better than the Frenchman.

Many might not be convinced now but once Gakpo gets going with Liverpool, the United hierarchy and fans whom today agreed that the club should instead purse other option will look on and regretfully say to themselves, 'he could have been one of us'.

Author: Kehinde Hassan Afolabi