Aheed Abrar
Louis van Gaal advised Cody Gakpo to avoid Manchester United switch
Former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal advised Cody Gakpo against a move from PSV Eindhoven. The Holland international was a target for the Red Devils this summer.
Erik ten Hag wanted to add reinforcements to his United squad and the club had an eye on Gakpo. The Dutch outfit wanted £40 million for the 23-year-old. In the end, a move failed to materialise and the Red Devils went all in for Antony.
Speaking on staying at PSV via Metro, Gakpo revealed he had several other offers on the table from the Premier League apart from United. However, the 23-year-old spoke with Van Gaal, considering it is a World Cup year, who suggested the forward stay in the Eredivisie.
“I spoke to other clubs, Premier League clubs which could be a good step, but there are more factors to consider, like the World Cup.
“I spoke to the national team coach [Van Gaal] and asked for his advice. His advice was clear, that I should follow my feelings, but that a transfer in a World Cup year is such a transition, going from club to club. It’s not ideal for a player, and I agreed with him.”
The current Holland national team head coach previously managed the Red Devils between 2014 and 2016. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Gakpo went to Van Gaal ahead of the trip to Qatar.
At United, at that moment, Ten Hag had a dilemma up front. We hadn’t started the season well. The Red Devils had failed to score in the opening two PL games, losing against Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford. The future of certain forwards was also uncertain.
Gakpo had an eye on United. However, with the club pulling out, the Holland international felt that the other options were not appropriate for him.
“From my side, it was also a bit last minute because I was looking at United and then I have to choose a different club. It all felt like a bit of a rush. Plus, it wasn’t nice for PSV because it was so last minute.”
The Red Devils have evidently found form under Ten Hag. The Liverpool game started United’s run. And we have since won three games on the trot.
Marcus Rashford and Jadon have found their feet once again. The English duo have looked more lively and have been clinical in front of goal. Anthony Elanga has also come into the team and provided energy up front.
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Gakpo is a quality player. However, United spent a lot of resources to secure Antony’s signature. It remains to be seen whether the Brazilian makes the XI as we come up against Arsenal next.
