Manchester United "rejected" Cody Gakpo just six months before he went on to sign for Liverpool. Two years on from his PSV Eindhoven exit, the Dutchman has opened up on just how close he came to moving to Old Trafford.

In his time at Anfield, Gakpo has gone on to score 37 times in 111 games - prior to Wednesday night's Champions League clash with his old club. United, meanwhile, have struggled to find regular contributors in attack and have shelled out mountains of cash in the process.

Picked up for only £35millon, Gakpo has largely showed up those who United have turned to. In the same window he made the switch to England, for example, Wout Weghorst completed a loan to United and would only go on to score two goals.

Since then, United have continued searching for an answer up front and have purchased Rasmus Hojlund for over £70million. Gakpo's international teammate, Joshua Zirkzee, arrived for more than £30million over the summer.

As a versatile attacker, Gakpo is also able to operate from the left, where he has found form under Arne Slot and for his country. Cutting in on to his stronger right foot, Gakpo provides an option from both flanks - when needed.

United "turned down" the chance to bring him in, though Having been a target for a while, Gakpo saw that deal collapse. "In the summer of 2022 I was almost planning to leave and I almost went to United at the end," he told TNT Sports. "They didn't want me anymore. Things happened and everything. Then I could stay here or go to join other clubs."

Gakpo went on to spend just half a season more in the Eredivisie. During that time, he fired in 13 goals in 24 games under Ruud van Nistelrooy, assisting another 17. It earned him the transfer to Liverpool.

"I prayed about it and found an answer with some goals that I scored," he continued. "At the end, if I'd scored a hat-trick I should stay, and it was the first hat-trick of my career. A more clear answer I could not get.

"That guided me a lot and besides that, fate guides me a lot. My parents guide me a lot in everything that I do. They are the two guiding factors in my life."

Gakpo now returns to his old club, who are no longer working with van Nistelrooy. United will instead be in Europa League action on Thursday night.

"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," Gakpo said shortly after joining. "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, that affected me a little bit.

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"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 continued: "I heard about Liverpool's interest and I think five days later the deal was done. My manager and brother knew about it for a longer time, but I said to them at the World Cup not to tell me anything because I have to focus.

"As soon as I'd heard about the interest, the feeling was; 'Come on, let's go'... 'You have a second Christmas Day? Boxing Day, right? I was with the family - including nieces and aunties - and I was getting calls all the time about Liverpool.

"But on Christmas Day, I was not on my phone. That is a very important day so the phone was put away. It was the very next day that it happened."

It is a deal that has worked out well for Liverpool and has left United scrambling.