Erik ten Hag has revealed that Manchester United are still looking for attacking personnel to add to their squad after missing out on the signing of Cody Gakpo.
The Netherlands' World Cup breakout star completed a move to Anfield on Wednesday after Liverpool moved swiftly over the festive period to strike an agreement with PSV Eindhoven, starting with an initial fee of £37m.
Gakpo, who has signed a contract with the Reds until 2028, had been a long-term target for United. But Liverpool's manoeuvres, led by outgoing sporting director Julian Ward, combined with United's financial uncertainty following the Glazer family's decision to invite offers for the sale of the club, meant that Ten Hag was unable to launch an official offer for the 23-year-old.
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But following the explosive departure of the Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this month, the Red Devils' options in attack are limited to just Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga, who has struggled for minutes under the Ten Hag this season and even more so following the emergence of Argentine sensation Alejandro Garnacho. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is yet to return to Carrington following his extended break from his Old Trafford commitments.
"We have a squad, we have players who are matching our criteria but with all the games that are coming, it is a tough competition," United boss Ten Hag told reporters on Friday. "We want to be also playing in all of the competitions by winning in games and cups as well.
"So you need players, you need numbers to cover, so we need good players, not only numbers, you need quality players to cover that. You need also competition so that you can make technical choices, so we are looking for the right player for our squad and that has to match the sporting criteria but also the financial criteria."
Ten Hag, whose side won 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest on Tuesday to move four points above Liverpool, added: "We need impact from the bench. I am happy once again a player was coming from the bench; Fred is scoring a goal and I think all the subs who came in tonight did really well.
"Also in the offensive department, you need players coming from the bench to have an impact on the game, whether it is you need a goal or when you are leading and you can go for the counter-attacks or keep the win on your side."
Sources at the Red Devils have indicated to the Manchester Evening News that the club's financial uncertainty has made it likely that they will be forced to explore the mid-season loan market, with Joao Felix a name that has cropped up in recent days from various publications. Over on Merseyside, Gakpo will be stepping up his preparations at the AXA Training Centre in the coming days as he readies himself for a potential debut against Wolves in the FA Cup next weekend.
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