'I spoke a lot about Man United': Gakpo lifts the lid on failed move to Old Trafford

Cody Gakpo has admitted he spoke to Ruud van Nistelrooy about a transfer to Manchester United before completing his move to Liverpool in January.

“To be honest, I spoke to him a lot about United in the summer when the transfer looked like it may be coming,” Gakpo said.

“But in the winter, not really. It was Ruud’s wish that I went to a big club - and I think I have achieved that with Liverpool.

“There was a lot of speculation in the summer. It was the first window where it was possible to move and so, yes, it affected me a little bit.

“But then there was one moment when I just said, ‘forget about it, play your best game, and maybe it will happen next summer or in the winter’. That’s what I tried to do and it went well.”

Gakpo joined the Reds for an initial £37m from PSV Eindhoven last month having shone at the World Cup for the Netherlands off the back of a prolific 18 months for the Eredivisie side.

He has however failed to hit the ground running, yet to score for Liverpool.