Erik ten Hag's biographer says Manchester United fans can expect their manager to prioritise a new centre-forward signing.
With Cristiano Ronaldo now released, Ten Hag has been open about finding a replacement for the newly signed Al Nassr striker. Indeed, the former Ajax coach was in the market for a new striker even before Ronaldo's controversial departure.
Maarten Meijer, who has just seen the release of his new book, 'Ten Hag: The Biography', says Ten Hag's system has always relied on a physical presence in attack. Sebastien Haller, Lassina Traore and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar all played significant roles in Ten Hag's success as Ajax coach - and Meijer expects United's manager to seek a similar type of centre-forward for his current team.
Meijer told Tribalfootball.com: "They have to, absolutely, of course there was a lot of talk about, for example, Cody Gakpo.
"And other people like that, yeah he needs somebody there. You see that so often in games they play well, but then there's no finishing, there's no end product for the goal and somebody crosses over from the left and it's missed on the right and so forth. He really needs somebody who can kill the game, to use his expression, or you need somebody who is big and strong up front."
Meijer says Cody Gakpo would've been ideal before Liverpool's swoop for the former PSV Eindhoven attacker. The Holland international has stated since signing for the Reds that he was initially expecting to move to Old Trafford this month.
Meijer added: "Gakpo, you know, we saw him in the World Cup, he was fantastic.
"He (Ten Hag) needs somebody like that. Absolutely because there's a big hole there. Absolutely."
For more with Maarten Meijer, watch below:
Maarten Meijer's definitive biography follows Erik ten Hag, from his upbringing in the Dutch countryside to his domestic triumphs and European victories. Meijer's book is the ultimate guide to the man with the momentous task of ending a decade of disappointment at Manchester United and beginning a new era of winning football at the club. Get your copy today from Amazon.
