In the 27th round of the 2021-22 Premier League season, Manchester United played Watford at home. In the whole game, Manchester United had the advantage, 67% of the possession set 22 shots on goal, but was finally forced to draw 0-0 by the opponent, conceding 2 points. The game exposed almost all of United's problems on the offensive end. Cristiano Ronaldo is not at his peak, and since entering 2022, he has scored only 1 goal in 10 games. Once Cristiano Ronaldo was muted, no one in Manchester United could step up to end the game. As a result, United desperately need to bring in a new finisher this summer.
Over the past period of time, Manchester United and many young centre-forwards have passed gossip, but the difficulty is not general. Haaland is the most capable but also the most sought-after; Darwin Nunez is not bad, but the competition is just as fierce, and The benfica asks too high; in addition, Isaac and Hick are also potential targets. But United's real goal may be someone else.
Earlier, britain's Daily Mirror reported that Manchester United were interested in Eindhoven striker Gackpo. Lonnick has sent United's reinforcements to visit the 22-year-old several times, and their most recent game was Eindhoven's 1-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv when Gakpo scored the winning goal.
Gakpo can be said to be United's latest target in the front line, and the Dutch centre-forward has also passed on rumors with many Premier League giants, such as Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Bayern is also one of the potential competitors, but Manchester United has never appeared in the ranks of competitors.
Gakpo, who came from the Eindhoven Academy, was officially promoted to the first team in the 2018-19 season, and has been sitting on the main force in the last two seasons, and has made a qualitative leap in performance this season. As of now, Gakpo has started 24 times in 27 games, scoring 11 goals and assisting 13 times, including 17 starts in 18 league games, scoring 7 goals and assisting 12 times, which is very efficient.
Gacpo is versatile and can play in multiple positions on the pitch, centre-forward, left-winger, forward-back and centre-back. He is 1.89 meters tall, but his speed is not slow, his physical fitness is excellent, and his confrontation ability is strong. On the flanks, Jacques Can use speed and skill to complete a breakthrough cross or cut inside, whether it is from the left side with a smooth foot right foot inside, or with teammates hitting the wall and taking the outside foot reverse foot cross is quite threatening.
Gakpo has just signed a new contract with Eindhoven for the duration of 2026. Currently worth €22 million, Eindhoven's asking price will not be too high, which is Gackerpo's advantage.
In addition to the front, United are also looking for the right back. The Daily Mirror said United were interested in Portuguese sporting midfielder Palinia. United have the right of first refusal to buy the player, but must commit to bringing in Palinha by the first week of June, or the Portuguese sport will recommend him to other teams. Palinia's contract has a termination clause in the amount of around £50 million. But Manchester United can't just take out the loan and take Palinja, and Portugal Sport is willing to accept a £20 million + floating offer.
The 26-year-old Palija is 1.90 meters tall and is also a tall and tough back. The ability of attack and defense is balanced, and he has excellent ability in stealing, scrambling for the top, interception and other aspects, has a good long-range shooting ability, and has strong mental attributes. But like Maguire, height brings the annoyance of not being fast and turning slowly. In the Premier League, if you encounter a fast attacking player, it is easy to be targeted.
All in all, there are still a few months to go before the summer window, and it is still too early to talk about who Manchester United will buy. But from these news, it shows that the Manchester United hierarchy has seen the direction of the team's reinforcement, which is a good thing in itself. And there are variables in the future of many players in the front, and Manchester United is likely to bring in more than one attacker. The same is true of midfield, where there is a need for reinforcement at the back. In addition, Jesse Lingard and Mata will definitely leave when their contracts expire, Pogba and Van der Beek have doubts about the future, and the urgency of the midfield is no less than that of the front.