Cody Gakpo admits he expected to join Manchester United before signing for Liverpool.

Gakpo, who scored three goals in five appearances for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Qatar, sealed an initial £37million move to Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven last week. The Dutch club announced the transfer agreement late on Boxing Day evening almost a week ago, stunning United supporters into silence.

The versatile attacker has now admitted that he believed he was going to join United in the summer, such was the level of the club's interest at the time.

"It was difficult this summer," said Gakpo. "It was a very intense period.

"I tried to find my peace, but it was difficult. I thought I was going to Manchester United, but in the end it didn't work out."

After it became clear that he would not be joining the Reds, the Netherlands star was linked with a flurry of other Premier League clubs, including Leeds United. However, Gakpo has admitted that he had doubts about joining the Elland Road outfit.

He added: "Leeds United came in. They are a good club, but I asked myself if I should really go there and when you have a lot of doubts, it is not good."