Man Utd missed out on signing "great talent" after being "caught out" by Christmas Day talks

Manchester United missed out on new Liverpool star Cody Gakpo following late talks, according to a new report.

United were believed to be keen on signing the Netherlands international ahead of the January window, with the player himself revealing he held personal talks with boss Erik ten Hag in the summer.

But United failed to meet PSV's asking price at that point, and CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs claimed that the Red Devils did not even place a formal bid heading into January.

That allowed Liverpool to swoop and complete the signing instead. Within hours of the first reports of an impending move on Boxing Day, PSV announced that they had reached an agreement for Gakpo to move to Anfield.

According to ESPN, this left Ten Hag 'frustrated' that United were not able to match Liverpool's bid and sign the player, with the Manchester club now looking at other options.

And new reports have said what cost United in their pursuit of the 23-year-old forward.

Man Utd 'caught out' by Gakpo talks

Goal claim that United were 'caught out' by Liverpool sporting director Julian Ward, and the speed in which he completed negotiations with PSV.

It is said that these talks took place over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which explains why a move on Boxing Day was made possible.

In addition, Ward was made aware of the status of fellow PSV stars Nodi Madueke and Ibrahim Sangare, with the reported knowledge that PSV could keep hold of Gakpo in January if either of those players were sold. Therefore, Liverpool had to act quickly - and they certainly did so quicker than their fierce rivals.

Gakpo, described as a 'great talent' by now former Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal, has been given the number 18 shirt at Anfield - the same shirt won by compatriot Dirk Kuyt during his spell at the club.

The Daily Mail claim that, because of the tight deadline required to complete paperwork prior to this evening's Premier League clash against Brentford, the left-sided forward will likely make his Reds debut against Wolves in the FA Cup on January 8.