Until the last couple of days, the arrival of Cody Gakpo at Manchester United looked predestined.

The Dutchman, who lit up the World Cup with three goals in five games, has long been a target for the Red Devils. After being the first instigators for the 23-year-old's signature, they were said to be leading the race just a week ago.

In a dramatic turn of events, the last 48 hours have crushed that notion. Instead, he is Liverpool bound after PSV's announcement on Monday evening that they had reached an agreement with Liverpool took many by surprise.

The transfer comes just 12 months after another left-sided forward, Luis Diaz, walked through the revolving doors at Anfield.

To lose a transfer race to your rivals is never a sight you want to see, but in the case of Man Utd, their January priorities should not be on a left-sided forward. There are more pressing issues they must tackle.

  • Who is the Red Devils' best left-wing option?

Had this question been asked before Man Utd had kicked a ball this season, the answer wouldn't have been easy. But Marcus Rashford's return to form has waned question marks over the left forward position.

Last season, he was directly involved in just six goals in the Premier League - his worst return since the 2016/17 campaign. However, this is a sum he has already surpassed, with a goal and assist versus Nottingham Forest last night, bringing his tally to eight contributions.

This, paired with his identical record to Gakpo in the World Cup, makes the Englishman a fit-for-purpose saving grace in his team's frontline. 

Now thriving under the fresh ideas that Erik ten Hag brings in his first season at Old Trafford, the home crowd has welcomed the return of Rashford using his pace to his advantage, both with the ball at his feet while running at defenders or making runs beyond his opponent. 

At his finest, he's any defender's worst nightmare. A drop of the shoulder and a dart towards goal is all that it takes before Rashford is on his way to being just a name and number on the back of a shirt for his opponent as he scores another goal.

While preferring to play off the left flank, he can operate across the front three, much like Liverpool's new signing. Though not the PSV winger's doppelganger, there are certainly similarities that can give reason to why United's position of concern is not on the left.

To support Rashford's surges forward, Bruno Fernandes may be the perfect key to unlock all of his left-winger's goal-getting potential. His ability to find a pass from seemingly anywhere complements the Englishman's nous of staying onside until the very last moment.

Visibly unalarmed by the recent news, the Red Devils are also now moving in on Joao Felix's signature, which will inject even more creativity for the attackers they already have. 

  • What if he gets injured?

Rashford is no doubt the star in United's left flank, but he isn't the only one that can bridge the gap after losing out on Gakpo. 

Despite not yet fulfilling his daunting reputation of being the third most expensive Englishman of all time, Jadon Sancho, at the bright-eyed age of 22, shouldn't be forgotten.

The former Borussia Dortmund starlet hasn't hit the staggering numbers he notched in Germany - but his talent when his confidence is high would suggest to anyone that he's worth putting faith in.

He has had big moments, with goals against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City, and assists against Tottenham and Arsenal, which in itself sounds very good. 

Erik ten Hag also recently sent the winger on an individual training camp in the Netherlands, which was a  chance for him to re-focus in a change of environment, amid the disappointment of missing out on England’s World Cup squad.

If ten Hag can hit the rest button on Sancho's Man Utd tenancy and breathe life into the winger that tore the Bundesliga up just two seasons ago, the Red Devils could have a weapon in their artillery far greater than any of their transfer targets.

With this particular example, patience is a virtue.

Other players that can fill the left-wing position include Anthony Elanga and Alejandro Garnacho - the latter of which impressed at the close of the first half of the season as the World Cup interrupted his progression.

  • So where must United improve?

Rather than investing in a versatile forward that isn't guaranteed to score a pantheon of goals, United should place all their eggs into the basket of an out-and-out striker.

You only have to glance at their rivals' goalscoring numbers to see the problem. While investment has been made in defence and midfield, the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo sees the desertion of the central striker with the Red Devils' highest Premier League goal tally in the post-Fergie era.

His 18 goals last season were crucial to the team, while Liverpool continue to profit from Mo Salah's exceptional record and Manchester City are rewarded by Erling Haaland's robotic instinct to find the back of the net.

In the last six seasons, Liverpool have had at least three players with nine or more goals, whilst Man City uphold the same feat for just one season less. Meanwhile, Man United have finished in the bottom two of the big six teams in goals scored in five of the last seven Premier League campaigns.

Goals win games. Having them split across the squad is vital, but without having at least one guaranteed 15 league goals a season player in your ranks, you may as well fight with one arm behind your back.

As much as Gakpo would provide this United team with goals, he is not the reliable goal-grabber that is needed alongside the efforts of Rashford, Sancho, and Antony. 

Instead, United should be in the market for a clichéd striker.

Someone who can spearhead the attack. 

A goal machine that Sir Alex Ferguson made sure was a cornerstone in each of his teams in all 26 seasons at the helm of Manchester United.