Antony is spectacular but Cody Gakpo has more value to the team, says Dutch coach

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Manchester United announced a deal to sign Ajax winger Antony and his full unveiling is expected imminently.

The Brazilian has cost the club a substantial fee, reported by BBC Sport to be £81.3 million.

The big money spent on Antony means a separate deal for PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo is less likely.

Sky Sports report Gakpo is ‘disappointed’ United have not followed up on earlier interest.

READ MORE: Confirmed Manchester United transfers, ins, outs, loans, releases for 2022/23

‘Cody Gakpo has more value to the team’

Former Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk, recently manager of the UAE national team, believes a move for Cody Gakpo actually might have been better for Manchester United.

He explained, quoted by De Telegraaf: “He’s [Antony] not a scoring player and isn’t going to score much there in England. But he can make the difference because he has an action at home and can always give an assist from the action. He looks spectacular with his actions, but is also really decisive.

“I would like to have Gakpo on my team as a coach. Many creative players are lazy players by nature. Gakpo is less spectacular than Antony and therefore Antony’s market value is higher. But he will always be an ideal team player. That’s why you can ask yourself who would have the most value for Manchester United right now.”

Gakpo scored and assisted more goals last season for PSV than Antony did for Ajax, so Van Marwijk’s comments are easy to understand.

The young forward can play across multiple positions and would be a useful player for any side. At just 23, he has a lot of potential and would cost far less than the fee spent on Antony.

The Independent report Gakpo would only become a transfer target United pursue, if Cristiano Ronaldo leaves the club before the transfer deadline. This is still possible, so his situation is one worth keeping an eye on over the final couple of days of the window.