A lot of Manchester United fans were angered after it was announced that Liverpool had agreed a £44m move for Cody Gakpo.
The news about Liverpool’s agreement with PSV Eindhoven broke via The Athletic on Boxing Day.
Manchester United held talks over signing Gakpo in the summer, but Erik ten Hag decided to prioritise a move for Antony instead. That didn’t stop media outlets from linking the player with a future move to Old Trafford.
Now it sounds like United have missed out on a target ahead of the January transfer window.
I’m sure #MUFC fans are pissed off this morning about Gakpo, but I’m really not sure what question he was the answer to at Old Trafford. There’s enough talent without a role over there as it is.
— Sam Tighe (@stighefootball) December 27, 2022
United fans took to social media after the news to express their views.
Not overly down on Gakpo. United’s left channel is sorted once Sancho returns. Out-and-out striker must be a priority.
But another of Erik ten Hag’s top targets joining a rival isn’t a good look. He doesn’t need a new striker to succeed, he quite clearly needs a new board. #mufc
— Alex Turk (@AlexCTurk) December 26, 2022
#MUFC have numbers in wide areas, but additional quality through Gakpo would have helped. Sancho having some problems & generally struggled/Elanga not the long-term solution to start. Leaves you with Rashford, Antony + inexperienced Garnacho. Erik ten Hag will be disappointed.
— Tom McDermott (@MrTomMcDermott) December 27, 2022
#MUFC were keen on Gakpo and even agreed personal terms last August, but he plays in a position where they are already very strong with Rashford, Sancho and Garnacho. Focus is on signing an orthodox number nine.
— Sam Pilger (@sampilger) December 26, 2022
Antony needs a performance against Forest.
Think he has had a “good” start to life at United. Pleased with him but with the Gakpo news, he needs to remind everyone (most importantly United fans), that he was ETH’s main target.
Important game for him #mufc pic.twitter.com/a388PsttFG
— Tom Simpson 🇾🇪 (@TomMUFC8) December 27, 2022
When #MUFC try to sign Gakpo, but he leaves for Liverpool instead. pic.twitter.com/EoCQtOHEl5
— UtdTunnel. 🔴 (@unitedtunnel) December 27, 2022
The Club is so skint The Glazers can't even take out a dividend & people SERIOUSLY thought we had £50M to sign Gakpo in January…#MUFC #GlazersOut pic.twitter.com/R7EOByDHHN
— 🏴 (@UtdWelshLad) December 27, 2022
There is no way of dressing it up, #LFC swooping in for Gakpo is a nightmare for #MUFC. Ten Hag wanted him, player wanted the move and the fee is not bank-breaking. Anyone defending it because 'he's not a number 9' is simply being complicit with the board's utter incompetence.
— Alex Crook ⚽️🎙 (@alex_crook) December 27, 2022
a lot of us were saying if that’s what ten Hag wants but not really convinced of him. #MUFC
Missing out on Gakpo could be a huge blessing in disguise.
If he plays wide, we need someone with more pace. If he plays upfront, we need someone that is a natural and can holdup.
— 𝐬𝐮𝐲𝐚𝐬𝐡 (@suyashinsights) December 27, 2022
The media will be quick to claim that Liverpool won the race for Gakpo, but it sounds like they were the only club to make a bid for the Netherlands international.
United have passed on the opportunity to do so, despite looking at the player in the summer.
