Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has told Cody Gakpo he wants to play him centrally as a striker.

Ten Hag is eager to sign the PSV Eindhoven attacker in January.

The Mirror says the Dutchman has told Gakpo that he is the man to replace Ronaldo at Old Trafford. The report even claims that the attacker could take the No.7 shirt as Ten Hag looks to continue the rebuild of his United squad following the £225million he spent in the summer transfer window.

It is thought that Ten Hag will look to the relationship he had with Gakpo during his time in charge of the PSV academy more than ten years ago. The Dutchman is understood to have kept up a friendship with both the 23-year-old and his family, as the forward considers his options away from the Eredivisie.

United had been interested in signing the PSV star over the summer, before the club eventually concentrated their efforts in making a move for Antony instead. Ronaldo's departure this summer has accelerated the need to sign further attacking options and Gakpo could become the seventh signing at Old Trafford since Ten Hag took the reigns.