In a decision that has prompted much head-scratching, Manchester United scouts once dismissed the chance to sign Liverpool’s standout performer, Cody Gakpo, despite former coach Benni McCarthy affirming that the Dutch international was highly coveted by Erik ten Hag. The scouts’ verdict? They simply “didn’t rate” him.
The past few seasons have epitomised Manchester United’s turmoil in the transfer window. Known for splurging on less impactful signings while missing out on key talents who found success at rival clubs, the Red Devils have much to rectify if they hope to compete with the likes of Liverpool.
Under the stewardship of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, there is hope the club can steer its recruitment strategy in a more promising direction. The recent acquisition of Matheus Cunha has been heralded as a positive step, but there is still a significant gap to bridge.
Former Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy, who served under Erik ten Hag, has revealed the extent of United’s initial interest in Cody Gakpo, who ultimately joined Liverpool for £35 million in early 2023. Since then, Gakpo has flourished, netting 41 goals and providing 17 assists in 128 appearances for the Reds.
McCarthy expressed Gakpo was “the one we wanted the most,” deeming it “ours to lose.” His versatility to play both on the left and as a false nine paired well with Marcus Rashford, promising a formidable attacking front supported by upcoming talent like Alejandro Garnacho.
“We were really close to getting him,” McCarthy disclosed to betonlinepromocodes.com. “I championed his potential and versatility, picturing him slotting seamlessly alongside Rashford. Yet, despite ongoing conversations and the player’s eagerness, it slipped away.”
The stumbling block? United’s own scouts were unconvinced by Gakpo’s statistics, which they deemed subpar. “They said the stats weren’t right,” McCarthy lamented. “But as I’ve learnt in football, some qualities transcend mere numbers. The eye test often reveals more.”
Despite Gakpo’s success at Liverpool, securing a league title, McCarthy contends that missed opportunities like these arise from systemic oversights within the club’s recruitment process. “Sometimes, it’s not the manager but rather the system that needs an honest evaluation,” McCarthy concluded, hinting at the systemic changes needed for United to recapture their transfer market prowess.