The most recent Man United transfer tidings as Cody Gakpo talks about how he was turned down before finalising his January 2023 transfer from PSV Eindhoven to Liverpool.

Ruud van Nistelrooy had an impact on Cody Gakpo’s move to Liverpool after Manchester United rejected him. (Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Cody Gakpo was “rejected” by Manchester United just six months before he signed with Liverpool. The Dutchman has revealed how close he was to relocating to Old Trafford two years after leaving PSV Eindhoven.
Gakpo has scored 37 goals in 111 appearances throughout his tenure at Anfield, including Wednesday night’s Champions League matchup with his former team. In contrast, United has had a difficult time finding consistent attackers and has spent a lot of money doing so.
Gakpo, who was acquired for under £35 million, has mainly replaced those United has looked to. For instance, Wout Weghorst completed a loan to United during the same window that he made the move to England, but he would only score two goals.
Since then, United has kept looking for a solution up front and has spent more than £70 million to acquire Rasmus Hojlund. Joshua Zirkzee, Gakpo’s international colleague, came over the summer for almost £30 million.
Gakpo is a versatile attacker who can also play from the left, where he has excelled for both his nation and Arne Slot. When necessary, Gakpo offers an option from both flanks, cutting in on his stronger right foot.
Gakpo, who had been a target for some time, watched that deal fall through when United “turned down” the opportunity to sign him. “In the summer of 2022 I was almost planning to leave and I almost went to United at the end,” he stated to TNT Sports. “They no longer desired me. Everything happened. After that, I could either remain here or join other clubs.
Gakpo continued to play in the Eredivisie for just six months. Under Ruud van Nistelrooy, he scored 13 goals and assisted on 17 more in 24 games during that time. He was transferred to Liverpool as a result.
“I prayed about it and found an answer with some goals that I scored,” he said. “It was the first hat-trick of my career, and in the end, I should have stayed if I had scored one. I was unable to get a clearer response.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is set to return to Man Utd in a coaching capacity (Image: Getty Images)
“That gave me a lot of guidance, and in addition, fate gives me a lot of guidance. I get a lot of guidance from my parents in all I do. They serve as my life’s two compass points.
Having parted ways with van Nistelrooy, Gakpo now rejoins his former team. Instead, on Thursday night, United will play in the Europa League.
Shortly after joining, Gakpo stated, “To be honest, I spoke to him [van Nistelrooy] a lot about United in the summer when that transfer looked like it may be coming.” “But not really in the winter. Ruud wanted me to attend a major club, and I believe I have done so with Liverpool.
“During the summer, there was a lot of conjecture. Yes, that had some effect on me because it was the first window that allowed for movement.
“Forget about it, play your best game, and maybe it will happen next summer or in the winter,” I suggested at one point. I tried that, and it worked out nicely.
Gakpo went on: “I believe the sale was completed five days after I learnt of Liverpool’s interest. My brother and manager had been aware of it for a while, but I told them not to tell me anything during the World Cup because I needed to concentrate.
“The first thing that came to mind when I learnt about the interest was, ‘Come on, let’s go.'”A second Christmas Day for you? Isn’t it Boxing Day? I was constantly receiving calls about Liverpool when I was with the family, which included nephews and aunts.
But I didn’t use my phone on Christmas Day. The phone was put away because it was a very important day. The very following day was when it occurred.
Liverpool has benefited greatly from the transaction, leaving United in a bind.