The task of trying to sign a striker is already appearing more troublesome than some Manchester United fans might have first thought.
With just over a fortnight to go until the January transfer window officially opens for business, United are being linked with a plethora of names to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the second half of the season. Manager Erik ten Hag, who will watch his side resume their campaign against Burnley in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, has admitted that he is determined to add a new goal-getter to his ranks and increase the Reds' attacking output.
But as any football club or manager will tell you, signing a striker is a much easier said than done task. Strikers are the players that cost the most money and are most heavily scrutinised every time they step out onto the pitch.
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They are judged and assessed on their number of goals, although, in the modern era, being a centre-forward is now about much more than just sticking the ball in the back of the net. Scoring goals, however, is a striker's bread and butter.
Of the candidates United have been linked with to beef up their attacking options, PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo is certainly the most prolific on current form. The 23-year-old, who scored three times in five games for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar, has scored 13 goals and registered 17 assists in just 24 appearances for PSV this season.
It is an astonishing record, regardless of the overall quality of the Eredivisie, and it is little wonder that he is attracting so much attention ahead of the window opening for business on January 1. Several big-name clubs from across Europe, including the Reds, have been linked with his signature.
But as tempting as it might be for United to try and sign Gakpo, who admitted that he held talks with Ten Hag during the summer about the prospect of moving to Old Trafford, there is one important element that the Reds need to remember: he is not a striker. The Dutchman has made a name for himself at PSV this season by operating on the left-wing.
The left-flank is his natural habitat and it is where he performs at his best. But if you happened to watch Gakpo and the Netherlands during the World Cup, you would have noticed that he played as both an attacking-midfielder and a striker, suggesting that he could adapt to becoming an out-and-out striker at Old Trafford.
Although it is not beyond the realms of possibility for Gakpo to adapt and become a seasoned striker, given his quality in front of goal, it is not a position, certainly at the moment, that he has desires of playing in. Earlier this month, Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal admitted that Gakpo had spoken to him about not wanting to play as either a No.10 or a striker.
"Cody is a very young player - he is 23 but looks younger," said Van Gaal. "He has only been playing with PSV for two, three years and always played from the left.
"He did not want to play in the centre or at 10, but he did have to for me. Now he thinks I am a great head coach!"
Given how well Gakpo performed for the Netherlands in a central role in Qatar, Van Gaal, to his credit, was right to move him inside. It certainly gave the attacker's admirers a sample of how he could deliver the goods through the middle.
However, a handful of games cannot mask the fact that Gakpo had reservations of playing in either of the two aforementioned positions. He is evidently more comfortable playing on the left-wing, which is understandable given his record for PSV over the last couple of seasons from that position.
United are desperate to add a striker to their ranks next month and signing a left-winger to shoehorn into the position is something of a gamble they cannot afford to take. The difference between signing a recognised striker or not could have huge ramifications for their hopes of securing Champions League qualification.
United are in no position to take such a gamble, despite Gakpo's undoubted quality and ability. They need a recognised out-and-out striker to spearhead their attack, however difficult a task it could be to find someone both suitable and affordable.
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