The Dutch international rose to prominence last season and has thrived under the mentorship of former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took over as PSV’s head coach in March.
Ten Hag eventually strengthened United’s attacking options by signing Antony from Ajax, but not before attempting to persuade Gakpo to join him at Old Trafford.
The 23-year-old, though, stayed with the Eredivisie club after passing up a late chance to join Southampton under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
‘I was on the verge of quitting,’ Gakpo told The Times. ‘I spoke to Erik ten Hag a couple times at Manchester United.’
‘In the end, the deal fell through, which was unfortunate for me and my development, as Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV, because transferring a player to Manchester United is a fantastic thing for the club.’
‘It ended around a week before the transfer window closed, and in that week I had to decide whether to go to Leeds or Southampton.’ I eventually stayed, but it was a tough time.’
‘I was on the verge of quitting,’ Gakpo told The Times. ‘I spoke to Erik ten Hag a couple times at Manchester United.’
‘In the end, the deal fell through, which was unfortunate for me and my development, as Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but also for PSV, because transferring a player to Manchester United is a fantastic thing for the club.’
‘It ended around a week before the transfer window closed, and in that week I had to decide whether to go to Leeds or Southampton.’ I eventually stayed, but it was a tough time.’
Gakpo, who stated he models his playing after Thierry Henry, will attempt to build on his growing reputation against another of his admirers, Arsenal, in the Europa League tomorrow evening, with PSV hoping to take control of Group A.
‘I’m a tall winger, but there aren’t many tall wingers, so a few years back I started studying Henry,’ Gakpo explained. ‘
He was a striker, but he was also tall and liked to play off the side like me, so I watched films of him and attempted to learn something from him, such as how he comes in from the left and shoots with his right. I’m not sure whether it’s working, but I tried to mimic him a little.’
