It is possible that Cody Gakpo will be “ignored” by Manchester United in the transfer market for the second time in less than a year.

Man United will almost certainly sign a striker during the winter transfer window, according to coach Erik ten Hag.

Currently, the Dutch strategist has only Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as possible No. 9 options.

Cody Gakpo emerged as a bright transfer target for the Red Devils after shining brightly for the Netherlands team in the group stage of the 2022 World Cup.

The idea that Cody Gakpo’s strong performance will help the 23-year-old striker be “restored” by MU after being “turned around” by the Red Devils last summer appears to have not changed.

Because, according to The Telegraph, Goncalo Ramos is expected to become Manchester United’s top transfer target after the 2022 World Cup concludes.

With an impressive hat-trick against Switzerland in the round of 16, the 21-year-old striker demonstrated why he has been on the Red Devils’ radar since September.

With little time to play in Qatar, Goncalo Ramos has demonstrated the qualities that coach Erik ten Hag seeks in a central striker: the ability to play on the move, coordination with teammates, and, most importantly, is a very impressive goal scorer and finisher.

Cody Gakpo has also scored three goals, but his performance at the 2022 World Cup is unlikely to persuade coach Erik ten Hag. Because Gakpo’s strength is still on the left side, and the Dutchman appears weak when pushed up in the attack.

In the opposite direction, Goncalo Ramos, despite playing sparingly in the 2022 World Cup, had far more outstanding individual performances.

And, as The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards opened up, the young Portuguese striker is emerging as a strong contender to replace Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford:

“One of the names being discussed outside Old Trafford is Gonzalo Ramos.” The club could look to sign the star who has replaced the old man in the national team.

“Manchester United has been closely following Ramos’ development for a long time, and coach Ten Hag was very supportive of that when he took over the job seven months ago.”

Furthermore, Luke Edwards stated that MU will not “undervalue” any player in the upcoming market, and Goncalo Ramos is no exception. That approach would almost certainly irritate Benfica president Rui Costa.

Because, according to the former Portugal international, Goncalo Ramos cannot be sold in January.

And the only way for MU to own the 2001  is to pay a colossal 120 million euros to break the player’s contract with Benfica.

That is also MU’s difficult knot in the Goncalo Ramos deal.

Coach Ten Hag wants to bring in a quality striker quickly during the winter transfer window, but Benfica is unwilling to part ways with their mainstay star in the middle of the season.

It’s possible that Manchester United should place some of the blame on themselves for missing out on the chance to sign Goncalo Ramos in September for only 30 million euros. The value of this player has increased by a factor of four since his outstanding performance at the 2022 World Cup, which took place over a period of more than three months.