Cody Gakpo has revealed why a transfer to Manchester United never materialised. The 25-year-old forward was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford on numerous occasions during Erik ten Hag's tenure before snubbing the Red Devils to join Liverpool.
When the Dutchman replaced Ralf Rangnick in the dugout back in May 2022, he identified Gakpo as a target after recruiting Lisandro Martinez and Antony from Ajax. Ten Hag planned to add Gakpo to his frontline until a late change of heart threw a spanner in the works.
Suddenly, negotiations stalled and the then-PSV Eindhoven star decided to stay at the Philips Stadion after scoring his first career hat-trick against FC Volendam shortly before the deadline. Gakpo then joined Liverpool in the following transfer window, penning a long-term deal at Anfield.
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Speaking to TNT Sports, the Reds ace explained the dramatic turn of events. Gakpo said: "In the summer of 2022 I was almost planning to leave and I almost went to United at the end they didn’t want me anymore, things happened.
"Then I could’ve stayed here or went to two other clubs I just prayed about it and found the answer in some goals I scored. I scored a hat-trick and it was the first hat-trick of my career so I think a more clear answer I couldn’t get. And besides, fate guides me a lot and I think my parents guide me a lot in everything I do."
In September 2022, shorty after United missed out on Gakpo, Van Nistelrooy was quizzed on his former side's interest. The former PSV boss said: "There have been rumours about him since the beginning of the season almost eight weeks ago and we have not seen Cody changing his behaviour up to now.
"There were rumours over the whole period and I admire that a lot in him, he's working on his development on a daily basis, playing in games and reaching his levels. He's not distracted, he's focused on games he has to play and focused on his next game. For a young guy like him, it's special to see that attitude."
Then, in February 2023, not too long after signing for Liverpool, Gakpo revealed a conversation he had with Van Nistelrooy. The Reds ace said: "To be honest, I spoke to him [Van Nistelrooy] a lot about United in the summer when the transfer looked like it may be coming.
"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."
