Man Utd missing out on Cody Gakpo is a blessing in disguise for two players
Four people will be celebrating Cody Gakpo’s move to Liverpool – the man himself, Jurgen Klopp, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho.
His performances in the World Cup confirmed what Liverpool and Manchester United ’s transfer scouts already knew. The Dutchman is sharp, incisive, ruthless, and appears to have the physical hustle and bustle every Premier League player needs, with an ability to play on the left wing or up top.
Erik ten Hag and United supporters have every reason to feel rather miffed about his move to Anfield – after all, it always seemed like he was firmly in their grasp. However, Garnacho and Sancho should take United’s failed attempt of signing the PSV Eindhoven star as a very stern warning.
Read More: Man Utd 'can only afford loans' as finances sink after Cody Gakpo transfer decision
Garnacho has enjoyed an excellent start to life at Old Trafford. He closed out the pre-World Cup campaign with an excellent winning goal against Fulham and even opened his goalscoring account in Europe with another fine finish.
The Argentine is yet to put a foot wrong, but he is only 18-years-old and the Premier League campaign is long, hard, and, as was the case with Adnan Januzaj, is capable of absorbing young talents and spitting them back out. Sancho will need to ensure he is not one of those prodigal talents to lose their way.
Sancho’s predicament is hardly comparable to that of the young Belgian. He arrived with a £73m price tag and an outstanding record of 50 goals and 64 assists in 137 appearances for Borussia Dortmund to justify it.
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“Sometimes there are circumstances with fitness and mood,” Ten Hag said in December, when asked about Sancho’s absence. “We got a drop of quality level and sometimes you don’t know why or what is causing it. That is what we are doing now to try to get him back there. It is a combination of physically and mentally.”
Fortunately for Sancho, his path back into the first team is not blocked by Gakpo’s presence. He can take encouragement from Marcus Rashford’s excellent return to form.
It was not so long ago the United academy starlet was being linked with moves away from the club – those rumours may linger, but they, if current service resumes, will be due to his outstanding contributions rather than a mere pursuit of first team football.
Very few positives came from Cristiano Ronaldo ’s rocky return to United but an inarguable plus was the fact pundits, ex-players, and the media focussed on his situation rather than Sancho’s struggles. Now the Portugal captain is out of the picture, the spotlight may find its way onto Sancho, particularly if his situation does not improve.
However, this is Sancho’s opportunity to become United’s main man. He will no longer be playing for a side whose main focus was seemingly to create chances and press for Ronaldo. His ambitions at Old Trafford and for England, can still be achieved if he takes his opportunity.
Rashford’s renaissance under Ten Hag is a very positive sign for Sancho and Garnacho, who can both flourish under the Dutchman. However, Various reports understand United will only be on the lookout for loan signings in the January transfer window.
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