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Manchester City

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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Gakpo could have joined United</li><li>Player spoke with Erik ten Hag</li><li>Joined Liverpool and won Carabao Cup</li></ul>

'Spoke to the manager' - Liverpool star Cody Gakpo opens up on just how close he came to joining Man Utd after conversation with Erik ten Hag before completing Anfield transfer

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Gakpo <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/christmas-day-talks-man-utd-fuming-story-cody-gakpo-liverpool-transfer/blt404082b425f03626" target="_blank">had seemed poised to join United</a> in the summer of 2022 when Erik ten Hag was appointed manager at Old Trafford, but the move never materialised. Ten Hag was then made to rue a missed opportunity as Liverpool gazumped United and signed Gakpo the following winter. The Dutchman has now opened up on the transfer tussle between the clubs and how close he had been to joining Liverpool's fierce rivals.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/1763892623574442000?s=20" target="_blank">Speaking to Sky Sports</a>, Gakpo said: "I think it was the summer before that I was in contact with the club [Manchester United] and spoke to the manager as well, obviously he's Dutch. But, at the end it didn't go through and that's just it. And in the winter Liverpool came. [It was the] Best decision for me."

WHAT GAKPO SAID

One can only sit and wonder what might have happened had United got their man in the summer before Liverpool. Instead, the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/cody-gakpo-man-utd--anfield--former-transfer-target-goal/blt561c80efeec50d28" target="_blank">Red Devils had to watch as Gakpo scored a brace</a> against them in the 7-0 rout in March 2023. As for Ten Hag, he ended up signing Antony from Ajax who could leave United as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/antony-biggest-waste-money-premier-league-history-man-utd-cut-losses-85m-flop/bltdfdca9e4c1f5027c" target="_blank">one of the worst signings in the club's history.</a>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Gakpo's Liverpool travel to Nottingham Forest on Saturday hoping to maintain their position at the top of the Premier League. The <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/liverpool-league-cup-history-jurgen-klopp-masterminds-victory-chelsea/blt4014128fdf512f79" target="_blank">recently-crowned Carabao Cup winners</a> are dreaming of winning even more silverware this season.

WHAT NEXT FOR GAKPO?

'Spoke to the manager' - Liverpool star Cody Gakpo opens up on just how close he came to joining Man Utd after conversation with Erik ten Hag before completing Anfield transfer | Goal.com

Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has revealed just how close he came to joining Manchester United before signing for Liverpool in January 2023.

&apos;Spoke to the manager&apos; - Liverpool star Cody Gakpo opens up on just how close he came to joining Man Utd after conversation with Erik ten Hag before completing Anfield transfer