Ruud van Nistelrooy has told Manchester United why they need to sign Cody Gakpo

Recruitment was always going to be the buzzword for Manchester United when Erik ten Hag was appointed and the manager can render that a job well done. Many signings have hit the ground running and United are - on early viewing - building strong foundations for a brighter future.

It has been quite some time since they worked with such conviction in the transfer market and Ten Hag has to be lauded for his efforts. He was effectively given the keys by those upstairs from day one and Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen have proven that to be the right decision.

Casemiro and Antony should make their mark sooner rather than later - while Martin Dubravka can be called upon as and when needed. If this were a school exam, Ten Hag would be pushing for top marks and yet he is already swotting for the next test.

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January is a notoriously difficult month in which to strike up business and, as a result, incomings may well be based on players leaving Old Trafford first. With that in mind, the next blocks laid down by Ten Hag will come next summer and he will not have to look too far to jot down his wish list.

An upgrade in central midfield (don't mention Frenkie de Jong) will take priority for the United manager along with attacking reinforcements - perhaps more than one on the proviso Cristiano Ronaldo departs. Countless names have already and will continue to be put through the rumour mill.

However, further research is not needed when it comes to Cody Gakpo. Heavily linked with a move throughout the summer, Gakpo stayed put with PSV Eindhoven and continues to make waves in the Eredivisie - but that is not the only reason why the left-sided, highly-rated Netherlands