PSV Eindhoven boss Ruud van Nistelrooy has claimed that Cody Gakpo ignored his advice to sign for Liverpool during the January transfer window.
Having missed out on joining a bigger club during the summer, it was widely expected that the Netherlands international would eventually depart PSV in 2023.
On the back of making an impact at the World Cup, that transfer came in the days before the end of the year, leaving the Dutch giants for Anfield in a deal worth in the region of £37m.
The switch to Liverpool came as a surprise with Manchester United having been interested in the summer and in need to a new central forward after Cristiano Ronaldo's exit.
Gakpo has endured a difficult start to life on Merseyside, failing to register a goal or assist in six starts in all competitions.
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Van Nistelrooy has now spoken openly about the development, indicating that he wanted Gakpo to wait for United to return for his services rather than jumping at the first opportunity which was put in front of him in December.
The legendary United forward said, as quoted by talkSPORT: "Gakpo's dream move was Manchester United, he was in contact with [Erik] Ten Hag since last August. I also wanted him to join United – not just because it's my club and I love them.
"But also because they are better than Liverpool and offer a lot more potential to their players. But United did not make a bid in January, so I advised him to wait until the summer.
"Something happened and he refused my advice and listened to Virgil [van Dijk] who tempted him to join his team. He told me he wanted to move abroad in January. The fact is Liverpool is ten times smaller than Manchester United, in every department.
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"Gakpo would have been scoring goals for United already, they have great midfielders who create many chances like [Bruno] Fernandes, Casemiro, and even [Christian] Eriksen."
Before leaving the Philips Stadion, Gakpo has contributed 12 goals and 14 assists in the Eredivisie and Europa League during the first half of the campaign.
He also netted in each of Netherlands' first three matches at the World Cup, but has now not scored for club or country since his effort versus Qatar on November 29.
Gakpo will hope to finally end that drought on February 13 when Liverpool play host to Everton in the Merseyside derby.
Darren Plant
