Manchester United are on the verge of bolstering their backroom staff as Ruud van Nistelrooy and Rene Hake close in on joining Erik ten Hag’s team.
The former United forward will not only know Arne Slot well from their duels between Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven, but also Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo. The 25-year-old made 24 appearances for the Dutch striker, during his spell in Eindhoven, scoring 13 times and providing 17 assists.
Gakpo’s form at this summer’s European Championships have thrust him to the forefront of the conversation after struggling to hit form for Liverpool, last season. The Holland attacker is joint-top goalscorer after his tournament showings in Germany but unlike at the Reds, he has frequented on the left of a front three.
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Although the forward has claimed he is happy to play anywhere, and did so under Slot’s predecessor Jurgen Klopp, his displays for Ronald Koeman’s side have more than asserted his claim to start as a left-winger for Liverpool.
He said: “I enjoy playing for sure and I’m looking where I can help the team the most. Sometimes that’s a little bit deeper in the midfield and sometimes it’s in the striker’s position. I just enjoy playing with my teammates, and especially when you win it is way more fun.”
Under Van Nistelrooy at the Philips Stadion, all of his 24 showings came on the left. Gary Neville spoke highly of Gakpo’s showings for Holland after their comeback win over Turkey in the quarter-final. The 25-year-old forced the error that proved key in turning around the deficit as Mert Muldur inadvertently steered past Besiktas goalkeeper Mert Gunok.
The former Manchester United defender revealed a chat with Van Nistelrooy where the former striker highlighted the Liverpool attacker’s best position, he said: “He looks sharp Gakpo.
“There were times for Liverpool, where you wondered… he played deeper or more central and I went to see Ruud van Nistelrooy 12 to 18 months ago and he said Gakpo’s definitely a left-sided forward – that’s been proven in this tournament. That was a really good run at the far post.”
Ten Hag will look to appoint Hake and Van Nistelrooy as part of his backroom restructuring. This season, he will join forces with the former Eredivisie tacticians as they go toe-to-toe with another Dutch top-flight tactician in Slot.
Liverpool will first visit Old Trafford on Sunday, September 1 after the showdown was rescheduled. Slot was reluctant in his first press conference to divulge where he feels the best position for Gakpo is, following his fruitful exploits at the European Championships. He said: “I don’t judge players by their best positions with their internationals as it is different to here. Different players. Different roles.
“I do have my opinion about where they [Cody Gakpo & Trent Alexander-Arnold] are going to play, but I will talk to them first before saying it here.”
The 45-year-old may have his own ideas about where his new forward will play but he has been handed the perfect reason to move away from Klopp’s role.
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
