Erik ten Hag reveals Man Utd transfer plans following Cody Gakpo’s Liverpool deal

Erik ten Hag has said Manchester United will only be able to sign a new striker in January if he fits the club’s ‘financial criteria’.

The Dutchman has already spoken of his desire to bring in another forward during the mid-season window, following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo last month. Ten Hag reiterated that stance again on Tuesday, despite the news of Cody Gakpo’s imminent departure to Liverpool.

The Netherlands international had been on United’s radar before PSV Eindhoven confirmed earlier this week that a deal is now in place for Gakpo to join the Merseyside club. It comes after a report in the Guardian which claimed Liverpool beat United to the signing as they were willing to pay money up front in January, with the Red Devils more likely to bring in a striker on loan during the mid-season window as funds remain ‘severely limited’.

Speaking after the midweek Premier League win over Nottingham Forest, Ten Hag admitted that finances will significantly impact the club’s January plans.

“We are looking for offensive players, we are looking for a striker. It would be good because of all the games coming. We are playing every third day and it is tough,” explained the former Ajax manager.

“I think we are always in the market, but it has to match the sporting criteria but also the financial criteria. We do what we can to bring in any player we can. For the progress of the team, we need to be more clinical.”

Asked specifically about Liverpool and Gakpo, Ten Hag responded: “I am not looking at other teams, I am looking at our team. I am convinced in the players we have, individual and as a team, that we can compete with those other teams.”

Meanwhile, Ten Hag did acknowledge that finding the back of the net has been an issue for United this season. “We have to score more goals,” he said.

“I think we created so many chances, it takes us until just before the end to make the third goal [against Forest]. I think we have to finish the game in earlier moments. I think just after half-time, we created two really good chances and we have to finish the game.”