Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has revealed that he and Erik ten Hag were denied the opportunity to sign a current Liverpool star during their time at Manchester United.
McCarthy, who is now the head coach of the Kenya national team, served as United's first-team striker coach under Ten Hag from July 2022 to June 2024.
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Although United struggled in the Premier League during that period, McCarthy played a key role in helping the team secure two domestic trophies, the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup.
Now, it is reported that McCarthy and Ten Hag were eager to sign Dutch forward Cody Gakpo during the club’s rebuilding phase. However, the move was blocked, according to the South African manager.
Gakpo eventually joined Liverpool in January 2023 and went on to win the 2024/25 campaign. Since his arrival, the 26-year-old has impressed with consistent performances for the Reds.
Last season, Gakpo enjoyed a standout campaign, scoring 18 goals and providing six assists across all competitions. McCarthy has now confirmed that they were denied the chance to bring Gakpo to Old Trafford.
"Gakpo was the one that we wanted the most and missed out on, I think he was the first player that we sat down and discussed, and decided that he was the player who would fit in perfectly," McCarthy said, according to GivemeSport.
"We knew we could play him alongside Marcus Rashford, when Rashy was really on song in 2022. I think we were so close to getting him. At one stage, it was ours to lose. The agent knew Erik and there were really good talks.
"He could play on the left, he could work as a false nine. With him and Rashford, we’d have been strong down the middle and on the left," explained the former Bafana Bafana star.
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"Then I was told the scouting department had watched him numerous times and they didn’t rate him. They said the stats weren’t right. For me, with my experience, I know what you need to deliver at a special club," he added.
"You don’t need stats to tell you that. The naked eye gives you so much more than just stats. Obviously, the club have a system, and the system won, so he joined Liverpool and won the league."
Photo Cred: @bennimac17
