Erik ten Hag has shortlisted two targets to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Manchester Untied in January.
The Dutchman effectively won his power struggle with the 37-year-old earlier this week when Ronaldo’s contract was terminated following his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
After slating his now former manager and the decline the club’s owners have presided over, United confirmed they had parted company with Ronaldo on Tuesday.
‘Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect,’ read a short statement on the club’s official website.
‘The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.
‘Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.’
According to ESPN, after spending heavily during the summer on the likes of Antony and Casemiro, Ten Hag had planned not to add to the squad in the January window.
A forward, however, has now emerged as a priority, despite the emergence of Alejandro Garnacho who scored his first Premier League goal in the win over Fulham prior to the World Cup break.
Ten Hag has two names on his shortlist with Holland World Cup star Cody Gakpo his preferred target.
The 23-year-old has scored 15 goals in 26 appearances for club and country this season and has enhanced his burgeoning reputation during Holland’s two group stage clashes in the last week.
Gakpo’s brave header broke the deadlock against Senegal earlier this week and he was on target again in last night’s 1-1 draw against Ecuador with a thunderous strike from the edge of the penalty area.
A host of Premier League clubs have registered interest in the versatile forward with Manchester United understood to have agreed personal terms in the summer, before switching their attentions to Antony.
Arsenal and Liverpool are also monitoring Gakpo’s situation, while Southampton came close to signing the player before he changed his mind at the last minute and decided to commit to PSV, who will now ask interested clubs €50m, according to ed.nl.
As an alternative, meanwhile, United are also keeping tabs on Chelsea target Rafael Leao, who opened his World Cup account in Portugal’s 3-2 win over Ghana earlier this week.
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