United appointed former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag as their new manager this summer, having been given the unenviable task of returning the club to their former glory after a dismal campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and interim successor Ralph Rangnik. However, the 52-year-old’s tenure got off to a terrible start as United lost 2-1 at home to Brighton on the opening weekend of the campaign, before being humiliated 4-0 at Brentford last time out. Ten Hag have already signed Lisandro Martinez from the Dutch champions this summer, as well as Christian Eriksen and Tyrell Malacia. And he has indicated he will link up with Anthony again before the transfer window closes early next month. But according to the Mirror, United are now looking at alternatives for the Brazilian forward after Ajax rejected a £67.9m bid for him. The Dutch club want £80m for the 22-year-old, but the Red Devils could land Gakpo for around half that amount. LIVE transfer news: Ronaldo reversal, double deal for Newcastle, latest Caicedo
However, Anthony remains Ten Hag’s first-choice and the United boss hopes the player’s desire to leave Ajax will force his current employers. But the Red Devils even see Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic as another option to solve their future problems. If either Anthony or Gakpo put pen to paper on a deal at Old Trafford, it would pave the way for Cristiano Ronaldo to leave the club, with Ten Haag happy to sanction a move for the Portuguese ace as long as he can find a replacement. Ronaldo has yet to find the net this season and has told United bosses he wants to quit.
