Erik ten Hag has confirmed that Manchester United will ‘do everything’ to replace Cristiano Ronaldo in the January transfer window.
United terminated Ronaldo’s contract last month in the wake of the 37-year-old’s stinging interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised Ten Hag and the club’s hierarchy.
United are understood to have saved around £16 million by tearing up Ronaldo’s deal, which was worth around £500,000 a week and still had seven months left to run.
However, Ten Hag is keen to emphasise that United will not panic-buy a replacement for Ronaldo, who scored 27 goals in 54 appearances in his second spell at Old Trafford.
Asked if United want to sign a replacement for Ronaldo, Ten Hag said: ‘Yes but only when we find the right player.
‘We do everything that is in our power, so I do research on every opportunity that comes. We do everything we can if that opportunity will be there.’
United have once again been linked with a move for PSV’s Cody Gakpo following his impressive performances for Netherlands at the World Cup.
United had made an initial approach for Gakpo in the summer but instead opted to complete their £86m deal to sign Antony from Ajax.
When asked if Gakpo is a target, Ten Hag replied: ‘I cannot give comment on specific players, I will never do.
‘I’ve told you before, in the summer as well, when you talked about a lot of players. Each player is under contract and I respect that but we make sure we are working in the background to get the right players in.’
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